When History Burns: The Loss of Thee Hubbell House and Why Historic Preservation Matters
- Tiffany Tillema
- Dec 22, 2025
- 5 min read
There are moments when a town loses more than a building.On the night of December 19, my hometown of Winnsboro, Texas, lost a piece of its soul.
Thee Hubbell House is gone.
Anyone who follows my work knows I have a deep and personal fondness for historic buildings. While my professional life centers on masonry restoration, that love does not stop at brick or stone. History lives in all old buildings—wood, plaster, lime, iron, and hand-cut timber—and when one is lost, it diminishes us all.
A Winnsboro Landmark With Deep Texas Roots
While many people knew Thee Hubbell House in its later years as a charming bed & breakfast nestled in the heart of downtown Winnsboro, its story began long before Main Street grew up around it.
The property was originally part of a sprawling plantation owned by Colonel James Stinson, father-in-law to James “Jim” Hogg, who would later become Governor of Texas. Stinson also owned a larger plantation near Pine Mills. That home still stands today, bears its historical marker, and is located at Governor Hogg State Park in Quitman.
The carriage house was constructed first, in 1875. The first floor housed carriage parking and stalls, while the second floor contained servants' quarters.
The main house was completed by 1888.
What makes Thee Hubbell House especially remarkable is that it was built using timber harvested directly from the plantation, milled in Colonel Stinson’s own sawmill. Some of that same timber was sent to Dallas, where it was used in the construction of Dallas’s first City Hall and the first bridge over the Trinity River.
This home was not just local history—it was Texas history.
Ahead of Its Time: Limecrete and Innovation
Thee Hubbell House was also far ahead of its time in construction methods.
While most homes of the era relied solely on timber framing and stone piers, this house incorporated poured concrete, something almost unheard of in Winnsboro or even East Texas at the time.
It is believed that Mike Hogg, son of Governor Jim Hogg and brother to Ima Hogg, brought the concrete materials in. The concrete used was not what we know today—it was limecrete, an early form of concrete made with lime instead of modern cement.
Limecrete is softer, more flexible, and breathable. That flexibility is exactly why, even after more than a century, the porches and footings of Thee Hubbell House showed little to no cracking. As someone who works in historic restoration, I can tell you: this is not an accident—it’s craftsmanship and material science working together.
A Mansion Surrounded by a Growing Town
As Winnsboro expanded, the plantation gradually disappeared, but the home retained its colonial character, complete with two stately front columns and many original oak trees—some of which tested to be over 400 years old.
In 1905, a Sears & Roebuck home was added to the property, adding another layer of architecture.
Why “Thee Hubbell House”?
In 1987, the Hubbell family purchased the property. Working closely with the Heritage Society, they restored the home with extraordinary care and respect for the period.
All upgrades were historically appropriate, with one exception: a concrete sidewalk connecting the carriage house. The carriage house itself was expanded from its original two rooms to six, while still maintaining its integrity.
In 1989, Thee Hubbell House Bed & Breakfast opened to the public. The Hubbells later purchased the Sears home next door as well.
The property became known for its Victorian antique furnishings and its legendary full breakfast—always free.
In 1994, Thee Hubbell House gained statewide attention when George W. Bush kicked off his campaign for Governor of Texas in Winnsboro, with events centered around the home.
Stewardship and Survival: Preserving History Through Changing Times
Twelve years after opening the bed & breakfast, the Hubbell family sold the property to Tim Carmichael, who became the next steward of this historic home.
For the next 20 years, Tim maintained the property with care and respect.
Then came COVID-19.
Like so many small businesses, the bed & breakfast suffered deeply. Classified as “non-essential,” it was forced to close. The Sears home was sold to help pay the mortgage. Though the inn eventually reopened, it never fully regained its footing and ultimately closed permanently.
The Fire of December 19, 2025
At approximately 8:09 PM on December 19, a call came into 911 reporting that an upstairs air-conditioning unit was on fire.
The Winnsboro Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched and arrived quickly. Crews were able to make entry but could not reach the source of the fire safely. Evacuation became necessary, and efforts shifted to protecting the surrounding homes.
Mutual aid was called, and departments from across the area responded:
Mt. Vernon Fire Department
Brinker Fire Department
Como Fire Department
Pickton Fire Department
Ogburn Fire Department
Winnsboro Police Department
Winnsboro Water Department
Christus Mother Frances Medics
Wood County Sheriff’s Office
The Winnsboro Fire Department also expressed gratitude to the dispatchers and to the citizens of Winnsboro, who offered help in any way they could.
Because of the rapid response, the fire was prevented from becoming an even greater disaster.
The main house was a total loss. The carriage house still stands.
Most importantly, the tenants and Tim himself were out of town. At the time of this writing, the resident cat, Juno, is believed to be alive but missing, and the community continues to watch for her.
Why This Loss Hurts So Deeply
When we lose a building of this age and significance, the loss ripples outward. It is devastating not only to the owner and neighbors but to the entire town, the county, and the state.
When a historic building is lost, that piece of history is gone forever.
While my heart will always be tied closely to brick and stone, the wooden structures that have survived fire, storms, and time itself are just as important.
It is painful to watch so many historic Main Street buildings fall into neglect—patched instead of properly repaired, some crumbling beyond saving.
To lose a building as well-maintained and historically rich as Thee Hubbell House to a devastating fire feels like a stab to the heart.
Those of us in the historic restoration world are often called “building huggers.” We take on projects others would demolish because to us, these structures are living, breathing connections to our past. Preserving them isn’t just work.
It’s a calling.
Any loss of history is a loss we all feel.
Winnsboro lost an icon. Texas lost a piece of itself. And those of us who love old buildings are mourning right alongside our town.
Editor’s Note
The historical information shared in this article was gathered from conversations with former and current stewards of the property, including David Hubbell and Tim Carmichael, as well as resources from the Texas Historical Commission and other publicly available historical records.
Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, and the details presented here are believed to be correct at the time of writing. However, as with many historic properties whose stories span generations, some details may vary slightly depending on sources. Any unintentional discrepancies are not meant to misrepresent the history of Thee Hubbell House.
This piece is written with respect for the people, the place, and the history it represents.
This breaks my heart as much as when the Carnegie Library was sold and demolished to build a Brookshires in its place. I never forgave the town of Winnsboro for that. I lived in Winnsboro until from when I was five until 10. During that time, my youngest brother and I used to visit the library when walking home from school in the 60’s.
My attachment to Winnsboro is deep because of time I spent there while growing older. I still had family connections. That’s why this story makes me so sad. 😞
Kaye Carr Mays
What a beautifully written and evocative piece. Thank you for sharing this sad story.