616 West Oak Street- Schweer-Jamison House

Built in 1916 by George Harris (1867-1941) for H.F. and Annie Clare Schweer. In addition to fine homes, George Harris built many public buildings such as a passenger train depot in Pilot Point and at least one public school in Denton. He was active in building in Texas and Oklahoma but concentrated his construction of homes in Denton.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, H.F. Schweer (1850-1931) moved to Denton in 1884. He met and married Annie Clare and began working in the mercantile business in Denton. He became the financing partner to the Hann family of Denton as they opened the “John A. Hann & Co.” on the Square in 1884. This dry goods store morphed to ultimately became the “J.W. Gray Co.” Gray lived at 515 Pearl Street behind the home that the Schweer’s built on Oak Street. Schweer remained a financial partner in the store, along with Mrs. John Hann. In 1889, Schweer became the cashier at the First National Bank and by 1920 became the bank president. Schweer was also active in other business developments. He was the Vice President of the Denton Oil and Development Company along with other residents of Oak Street, like R.H. Evers, President and R.P. Lomax, Secretary. They drilled the first well in Denton in 1913. In 1915, he was elected to the Board of the Denton Chamber of Commerce. The house became known as a merrymaking house for wild parties until 1928 when Schweer was arrested and charged with embezzlement from First National Bank. Mrs. Schweer attempted to save her home by opening a women’s clothing shop in her house in February 1930; however, by April 1930 the Schweers sold their home to the Wells who lived next door at 610 W. Oak, and immediately moved to Los Angeles where Mr. Schweer died in December 1931.

Italian Renaissance style houses feature two stories, a low-pitched roof with wide eaves decorated with brackets supports under the eaves. Windows are typically tall and narrow with arched or curved crowns over major windows and entries. Invert U shape create elaborated arched crowns with bracketed pediments over the center door. Cornices line the eaves of Italianate houses, commonly placed on a deep trim band under the eaves. Porches are sublet in elaborations except for small entry porches. Tile roofs, stucco facades and iconic decorations are accents to this style of house. There are two notable examples in the District, the other at 1023 West Oak.