Cindy Walker House
Cindy Walker (right) and her mother Oree (left)
In 1954, Texas-born Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter Cindy Walker moved back home from Hollywood to this house in Mexia. Here in her home studio, Cindy wrote nationally loved songs such as “You Don’t Know Me” (which has been recorded by over 200 artists including Elvis, Ray Charles and Eddy Arnold) and “Dream Baby” for Roy Orbison. Many music celebrities are known to have visited the home over the decades. Since Cindy’s passing in 2006, her former house remained vacant and fell victim to neglect and deterioration.
The recently formed Cindy Walker Foundation (CWF) purchased the home in 2022 and is currently seeking funding for the property’s rehabilitation. Its roof and foundation are in need of repair, and other issues such as mold, rot, broken windows and a falling chimney need to be addressed.
The Cindy Walker house is significant not only to local and state history, but also to the history of country music and the legacy of female songwriters. The CWF plans to restore the house and adapt it for use as a songwriter-in-residence program and museum recognizing Cindy Walker’s legacy.
UPDATE: May 1, 2024 - The Cindy Walker House was included on the 2024 list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
ADDRESS: 114 S. Brooks St, Mexia (Limestone County)
DESIGNATION: None
STATUS: Endangered
OWNER: Cindy Walker Foundation
RESOURCE TYPE: Residential
YEAR LISTED: 2022
