The Stinnett~Flesher Home
Van Alstyne, Texas

236 W. Van Alstyne Parkway

Home Town Calendar 1994
Van Alstyne, Texas

The red brick home was built by Eli Gentry in late 1924 for James Alexander and Beulah Thomasson Stinnett; the home was designed by Sherman architect John Tulloch "with a colonial revival floor plan which also included prairie style elements".  Mr. Stinnett was owner of the local dry goods store in Van Alstyne.
Their youngest son, James Hart, never married and lived with his parents in the house until their deaths in the early 1960s.  James, known for his lavishing entertaining, often hosted parties that lasted into the early morning hours and included a live orchestra and food catered in from Dallas.  James sold the home in 1963 to Don and Mary Jo Flesher, owners of Flesher Funeral Home.
Mr. and Mrs. Flesher remodeled the home in 1979 for their son's wedding and reception but maintained many of the home's original features.  When a 1981 fire damanged the portions of the home, it was once again remodeled.

In June 2005 David Salmon and Arnold Bennett purchased the historic home from Mary Jo Flesher and moved into the home later that year.  They began updating, restoring and repairing the home, keeping many of the original features including glass door knobs, lighting fixtures, interior doors, etc.  One of the most notable features of the home is the original gas fireplace in the formal living room, which was purchased by James Stinnett at the 1924 Texas State Fair and which still operates with its original gas logs.  The fireplace, made with Rookwood tile, is the winner of the 1924 State Fair Fireplace Competition.

   

2010

Van Alstyne History