Randlett House

Envision a grand home, rising proudly amidst the Texas landscape. This is Randlett House. It whispers tales of a bygone era, a time of prosperity and social grace. Randlett House stands in Lancaster, Texas. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This majestic Queen Anne home, built in 1896, was a testament to the success of Sam Randlett, a prominent local merchant. Constructed by S.D. Andrews, the house embodied Randlett’s standing in the community. Randlett House boasts an asymmetrical floor plan, numerous projecting wings, and an intricate roofline. The detailed woodwork hints at the craftsmanship of a bygone era. Originally, the house sat on 23 acres of land inherited by Randlett’s wife, Addie, from her father. The property included a carriage house, barn, outhouse, and a garden. Brick walkways, lined with shrubs, connected these outbuildings. A hedgerow of cedars, imported from Lebanon, graced the northern property line. The three-story tower, with its octagonal spire, commands attention on the east facade. A one-story gallery, supported by slender wooden posts, wraps around the east and south sides. While some of the original ornate carpentry has been lost due to time and neglect, the house retains its Victorian charm. The north facade features a unique three-sided bay with unusually proportioned windows. The interior boasts twelve rooms with high ceilings, allowing for large transoms and seven-foot doors. These doors are adorned with original stamped brass hinges, escutcheons, and doorknobs. A carved wood staircase graces the north bay. Plumbing and electricity were added during a 1912 remodel, which also saw the addition of a new bedroom and sleeping porch. Randlett House stands as a symbol of a prosperous past. It continues to whisper stories of a time when life moved at a slower pace, and elegance reigned supreme.