Tiner-Hendricks House

May 16

Built in 1887, the Tiner-Hendricks House in Sutherland Springs is a two-story wood-frame I-house, a vernacular form brought to Texas from the Upland South. Characterized by its symmetrical facade and central hall plan, the structure reflects a once-common rural building tradition that is now increasingly scarce. Originally modest in design, the house evolved over time, with additions that reflected changing domestic needs and increased prosperity, including rear ells and expanded porch structures.

J.L. Tiner, the home’s original owner, documented its construction in detail through handwritten diaries, noting how wood and brick were sourced, and describing day-to-day activities. These records provide valuable insight into late 19th-century building practices and rural life in South Central Texas. The house and its accompanying narrative offer a glimpse into a middle-class settler family’s experiences during a period of regional transition.

Encroaching development has compromised the property’s original rural setting. Relocating the house to a more secure and contextually appropriate site would allow for the reestablishment of its historical landscape and better interpretation of its original use. Preservation Texas has offered assistance with planning and documentation, recognizing the opportunity to use the Tiner-Hendricks House as a platform for public education on rural architecture, local history, and the experience of Texans in the post-Reconstruction era.