Old Wright Patman Homestead declared historic site

By Angela Guillory
aguillory@casscountynow.com

The Cass County Historical Commission on Friday, May 30 recognized The Old Wright Patman Homestead in Linden as a historic site. On display were the plans for the full restoration of the property.
Owner of the property Samuel Landreth Higdon was presented a landmark certificate by Marvin Kelly, chairman of the Cass County Historical Commission. This is the first county landmark certificate ever issued by the Cass County Historical Commission.
The Certificate of Official Designation as a Cass County Landmark states, “The Cass County Historical Commission hereby recognizes The Old Wright Patman Homestead at 305 N. Main St., Linden, Texas as a historic site worthy of local landmark status in this county.
“This 1861 residence is well documented as the first family home of the Dean of the U.S. House of Representatives, longtime House Chairman of Banking & Currency, and guardian of our democracy. Owned by John William Wright Patman from 1919 to 1929.”
Higdon purchased the property in 2011 a week after he saw it and later told his wife he had bought it. Higdon said when he saw the pictures of the place he loved the view of the town from the front porch.
The contractor began by installing a new foundation and stabilizing the house. In the process, the contractor discovered the basement that had been filled in. It had been built with local handmade bricks.

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