HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarker Presentation
NARRATIVE presented at College Station City Council Regular Meeting Council Chambers Thursday, March 10, 2011 7:00 p.m. to Mindy and Quint Foster 1007 Walton Drive Historic Marker #57
The home of Quint and Mindy Foster, 1007 Walton Drive, is a structure deserving recognition by the Historic Preservation Committee because it is of historical significance to the city
of College Station. In the summer of 1937, Mrs. Minnie Dansby sold the original tract of land that would become College Hills Estates to J.C. Culpepper. Nine years later in March of
1946, the specific home site was purchased by Dr. Grady P. Parker, who, according to a plumbing inspection tag found during renovation of the master bathroom, completed the home in late
1951 or early 1952. The home was sold in 1986 to Frances Kelly Bell, Jr. and Laurie Elizabeth Bell and sold again in 1991 to Paul F. and Susan S. Causey. The current owners of this home
are Robert Sanford Foster V and Mindy Dore’ Foster, who purchased the property in 2002. Though the home has been passed through many owners, it has been altered very little. It is a
single story frame house, with the original floor plan featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, formal and informal living, breakfast room, dining room, and kitchen with a screened in breezeway
leading to the garage. The current floor plan is very similar. A wall that separated the informal living and breakfast room was taken out to make one room, and the breezeway was glassed
in. The original hipped cedar shake shingle roof was replaced with a composite shingle roof and the original aluminum single pane windows are being replaced with wooden double hung windows.
At the back of the property, a carport has been constructed out of recycled bricks handmade in Mexico in an attempt to make this addition match the house in construction and style. All
in all, the exterior of the house looks very similar to the way it did originally. The interior looks similar as well, with no additions to the floor plans and the only real changes
being the paint colors. Even though this home has been structurally maintained, its true historical significance comes from a man who lived there in the 1950’s. Dr. Grady P. Parker was
a coach and administrator in the Texas school system, and during his tenure he coached a state championship football team. In 1929 he received his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and
Education from North Texas State Teachers College. He also received a Masters in Education from SMU in 1935 and in 1942 obtained an Ed. D. in Education and Chemistry from the University
of Texas. Dr. Parker
contributed significantly to the Agricultural and mechanical College of Texas by becoming Assistant Professor of Chemistry from 1940-1947, and then a Professor of Chemistry from 1947-1954.
His greatest role at A.&M. was that of Head of the Department of Education and Psychology, which would later become the College of Education, for 14 years and “was widely known for his
work in science curricula and programs at Texas A.&M.” Dr. Parker was also involved in the community. He attended numerous city council meetings, supported candidates for office such
as Mayor Anderson, and was on the City Planning and Zoning Commission, as well as, the Commercial Development Committee. Laurie Bell served several years on the Arts Council of Brazos
Valley. Susan Causey was chair of the Community Appearance Committee. This home is receiving historical marker number 57 because it is historically significant to the city of College
Station not only for the structure itself, but also for the people who once lived there. Please accept this marker on behalf of the City of College Station, Heritage Programs and Historic
Preservation Committee.