The Tucker Homestead

The house that is presently known as “The Tucker Homestead” was built in 1910 by Mr. Tom Thornton, and given to his daughter Lou Thornton and her husband Jim Cager Yates along with 500 acres. The property came into the Tucker family in the mid 1930’s. The house and farm was then owned by Mr. William Thomas Tucker, father of Everett Cornett Tucker and grandfather of Dr. Thomas Thornton Tucker. In the early 1940’s Mr. Everett and Frances Tucker purchased the house and 500 acres from Mr. William Thomas Tucker. Everett and Frances made multiple improvements on the house where they lived for 55 years.

 

In 1910 when the house was built, the brick on the exterior of the house, chimney, and window sills were all manufactured on the farm at the time of construction. The lumber used for the framing of the house is various species of wood and the studs in the walls are 3”x5”x10’. When we exposed the original framing at the time of renovation the wood was in perfect condition. The studs were secured on the outside in a diagonal fashion by 1”x12” boards. Although central heat was not customary in homes built during that era, Mr. Thornton had one requirement with the construction of the house, and that was to have a large chimney in the center of the house with multiple fireplace’s which resulted in heat transferring to the walls of the chimney that allowed for heat transmission throughout the house. The fireplaces are small, but this was standard for coal burning fireplaces in the early 1900’s. Other unusual construction is the varying sizes and placement of the windows. As you will notice to the left of the front door there is a different brick pattern. In the 1900’s it was customary to have two doors at each entrance, entering and exiting two different rooms. Another place where there was a door is in the library where there is now a window. Originally there was a door there and another door leading to the outside where the steps are leading into the great room. After approximately 100 years the walls and corners are exceptionally square and true. The present sills under the house are all original and installed in the 1900’s.

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When Mr. and Mrs. Everett Tucker acquired the house and farm in the early 1940’s the house was in great disrepair. The roof leaked and the plaster walls and ceiling were peeling. Some of the improvements made included placement of hardwood floors, updating one bathroom (the only one in the house), central heat and the construction of a partial basement. Dr. Tom and Caron Tucker, in 2006 saw that it became apparent that repairs to the house were needed. After considering the structural requirements and hiring an architect to provide assistance, we began a major renovation that started in April 2008 and was completed in August of 2010. The improvements and changes include a geothermal system, moving the front staircase to the opposite side, adding four and half bathrooms, removing the back stairs to enlarge the kitchen, removing a wall separating the living room and library, removal of the plaster walls and lathe, the addition of a great room, covered porch and terrace, new wiring, and plumbing. Original to the house are the room sizes, pocket doors, mantels, doors and window, trim, baseboards, and the columns in the library came from the front porch.

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The Tucker Homestead as you see it today sits on a 2500 acre working cattle and crop farm known as Tucker Family Farm. Dr. Tom and Caron Tucker would like to thank all those involved in making this a beautiful historic restored country home.

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