602 West Live Oak Street, Coleman, Texas

602 West Live Oak Street
Coleman, Texas

Legal Description:

" ... Soon Mr. F. M. Bowen married the beautiful Miss Alice Berry (December 23, 1884), and five more children were forthcoming (in addition to his first five children): Blanche, Berry, Floyd, Joe and Nelle. The necessarily spacious home they occupied was at 602 West Live Oak, across the street west of the First Methodist Church. The W. R. Hickman family bought the property in 1927, razed the house to build their pretty cream-colored brick, English-style home. ..." (A History of Coleman County and Its People, "F. M. Bowen," compiled by June Bowen, 1985.)

south side - 1893 map

south side - 1898 map

Between 1893 and 1898 the dwelling at what would become 602 West Live Oak Street, changed from a 1 story home to a 1 1/2 story home. It is possible it was always a 1 1/2 story home, but was marked in error on the 1893 map. I do not know if the Bowen family lived here at this time.

south side - 1904 map

south side - 1909 map

Between 1898 and 1904, the house was either replaced by a larger structure, or was enlarged to a larger structure. Between 1904 and 1909, no apparent changes were made to the dwelling, but the small building to the north of the house was removed.

south side - 1916 map

south side - 1923 map

Between 1909 and 1916, there were no apparent changes to the dwelling, but the lot to the west was added to the yard of the dwelling. A servant's house, and 2 auto sheds were built to the north of the house. At this time, the house was addressed as 600 West Live Oak Street, and also as 408 North Neches Street. By 1923, the dwelling was unchanged. The house was addressed as 600 West Live Oak Street, and also as 408 North Neches Street, with an additional address of 103 North Neches Street.

"In 1929, William R. Hickman, and his wife Ida, were residing at 602 West Live Oak Street. He was a ranchman." (Coleman City Directory, 1929 - Hudspeth.) (There was a servant's house at the rear of this dwelling at 602 Rear West Live Oak Street.)

south side - 1930 map

south side - 1948 map

In 1927, the old frame house was removed and a new brick house was built. Some of the old auto sheds were used and one was converted to a small dwelling on the northwest side of the property. The address was changed to 602 West Live Oak Street.

Hickman home about 1955
south side

Hickman home about 1960
south and east sides

Historic Home Destroyed By Fire
By Randy Turner

One of Coleman's prettiest homes was destroyed by fire Sunday afternoon. The home of Bob and Barbara Farley at 602 West Liveoak caught fire around 4:30 p.m. According to information from the Coleman Fire Department, the Farley's were at home at the time but were able to get out of the house. As firemen got to the scene flames could be seen inside the home. Despite efforts to contain the fire in a bedroom, it spread quickly to other parts of the house. The roof eventually fell in leaving only a part of the east and south brick walls standing. Firemen also had to protect nearby homes from the flames which caught surrounding trees and grass on fire. Four firemen were treated for heat exhaustion at the scene by Coleman County Medical Center ambulance personnel. Billy Baker, Fire Marshal, has listed the preliminary cause of the fire as a cigarette which ignited a bed. The Parley's lost everything in the fire. They are in need of clothing in the following sizes: For Barbara - loose fitting size medium to large "mumu" type dresses and size 7 slip-on shoes. For Bob - size 38 pants or shorts and shirts which are size large. The collection point for donations is the Elm Street Church of Christ. Take donations to the church office, across from the entrance to the hospital, mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

A Sad Sight in Coleman Sunday afternoon as a stately old home is consumed by fire. The home, located at 602 West Liveoak, belonged to Bob and Barbara Farley. Smoke is seen coming from virtually every side of the house. A Coleman fireman walks in front as he and other volunteers worked to save the home. The house is just west of the First United Methodist Methodist Church which was the scene of another major fire almost two years ago. (staff photo)

(The Chronicle and Democrat-Voice, Coleman, Texas, August 22, 2000, page 1.)

Vacant Lot located at what was 602 West Live Oak Street - taken March 20, 2005

view from southwest corner

view from southeast corner

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This page updated September 4, 2005