Renfro-Clark Home (Burleson, Texas)

The Renfro-Clark Home is located at 128 North Clark Street in Burleson. This house is located about 200 feet from the street. It was built in 1894 by Mrs. H.C. Renfro, who was the widow of Henry C. Renfro, and their only daughter, Mrs. Margaret Annette Baker Clark.
When the MKT Railroad wanted to come south from Fort Worth, a Mr. Dodge, who represented the railroad, asked Mr. Renfro if he would sell the land to the railroad. Mr. Renfro was not in favor of selling all the land to the railroad, preferring to sell them only every other lot. However, he finally agreed to selling all the lots if he could name the town. The deal was confirmed and he was given permission to name the townsite Burleson after his very good friend, Dr. Rufus C. Burleson, then President of Waco Classical College. Prior to that time, Mr. Renfro had named his only son James Burleson Renfro after his friend.

Mr. Renfro lived south of town at that time and he never lived in the town of Burleson. After he died in 1885, his widow, Mary R. Renfro, and his daughter decided to move into town. So it was then they built the house presently at 128 N. Clark Street.

The house took approximately six months to complete. It was copied after a house that is presently located between Burleson and Alvarado. At the time the house was built, it was one of approximately six houses on the east side of the MKT Railroad. It was the first house to be built in the M.A. Clark Addition.

The builder of the house was a Mr. Pribble, who was a master carpenter. The structure of the house is late Victorian. The house is topped by a cupola and originally it had two back porches that have been enclosed. The ceilings of the house were high and some have been lowered.

The wood used in the house came from Dallas and was carried to Burleson by wagon. The nails used were square. Most of the lumber contained no knots.

Since it was built 76 years ago, it has been in the same family and four generations have lived in the house. First, there was the widow of Mr. H.C. Renfro, her daughter, Mrs. M.A. Clark, and her grandchildren, James Renfro and Mary Pearl Baker. Mary Pearl married Hugh Clark and raised 8 children (one of whom died in infancy). James Renfro Baker still lives in Burleson, Texas.

The street in front of the house was named for James Clark, who was the husband of Margaret Annette Clark. He was Pearl Clark’s stepfather and he was no relation to her husband.

The main street through the town was named Renfro Street after H.C. Renfro.