The Polk House

The building known today as the Polk House was built by Ransom H. Horn, a cabinet and furniture maker in San Augustine.

This antebellum clapboard house with double front wings, a wide central hall, shed rooms, attached kitchen with an interesting Greek Revival entrance and trim was built in 1840.

It has been designated as Texas Historical site and is also on the National register.

The house was later purchased by H.K. Polk, Grandson of Judge Alfred Polk, who was prominent in local public affairs.

There were several unusual stories about “Uncle Ransom” as the town folk called him. A true story: one very cold stormy night he heard a child crying out front of his home. To his shock he found an abandoned child attached to his gatepost. The child was never identified, and Mr. Horn reared the child as his own. Although nicknamed “Gatepost Horn," that child grew up to be a well respected man in the community.

Private property: visible from West Columbia Street