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Thanks for joining our
"virtual tour."
A Stitch in Time is located in the
Historic Governor Ferguson Home in beautiful Temple, Texas.
Photo
Gallery
Read about the history of the Ferguson
Home.
Ferguson House History
For over fifty years now, the stately yellow
Victorian on the corner of 7th and French streets in Temple, Texas has been closed to the public. Since the late sixties various owners have undertaken the
grueling job of bringing back to life a structure that was for all practical purposes uninhabitable. Built in 1907 for the unheard of sum of 4800.00, the house was, for a
brief period, Temple's largest home. Bank president James Ferguson had to entice his bride of seven years to move to Temple by bringing her a jar of rich blackland soil to inspect. Miriam never did become attached to the house, referring to it as Pa's house, but she dearly loved to garden and the soil did the trick. Her robust garden consumed most of the yard where she would spend most of her free time tending vegetables and roses. The Fergusons and their two girls lived in the house until 1915, and then again from 1917-1925 when they moved permanently to Austin.
James served one two year term as Gov of Texas from 1915-16. Under his supervision the Texas Highway Department became a reality. He was re-elected, but was impeached midway through this, his second term. (Your either loved or hated James, there was no middle ground.) A brief run for President of the United States, and his newspaper kept his ideas on issues before the public. Prevented legally from ever holding office, he submitted
Miriam's name as a candidate for the 1925 election. She won handily and was the first woman ever to be elected
governor in The United States. Miriam had decided opinions on many issues, and was not just a voice for James, although she relied on him heavily claiming "he is the smartest, best looking man alive." Public schools, especially for the farm worker's children, was a cause they both worked hard for. Miriam's first legislation made it illegal to appear at a public meeting
wearing a mask, beginning the decline of power for the KKK in Texas.
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