One of Wichita Falls’ oldest and most treasured landmarks, the Berry Brown House, has been lost to a devastating fire. Built in 1892, the house stood as a reminder of the city’s past for more than a century. But on the evening of March 29, its legacy came to a heartbreaking end.
A Landmark Lost in Flames
Located on Travis Street, the Berry Brown House was nearing its 40th year as a recognized historical landmark. Sadly, it may never reach that milestone now. After the fire, Fire Marshal Craig Berend confirmed that the damage was too severe to repair.
“There’s not a place on that home that hasn’t been blackened by fire,” Berend said. “In my opinion, it’s a total loss.” He also added that the home is now too dangerous to enter, with burnt stairwells, holes in the floors, and an unstable basement.
A Longtime Restoration Effort Comes to a Tragic End
The Berry Brown House had been part of several local historic preservation projects. In 2006, it was listed as one of the Most Endangered Landmarks in the area due to its deteriorating condition.
Karen Gagne, the city’s Historic Preservation Officer, was emotional when speaking about the fire.
“This is one of our worst fears,” she said. “It’s one of the oldest landmarks we had, and now it’s gone. That pit-in-the-stomach kind of feeling—it’s hard to describe how devastating this is for our preservation community.”
Decades of Hope, Now Gone
City officials and preservation groups had worked with the property owner over many years, trying to save the historic home. Gagne said that while there were several design review applications submitted over the decades for restoration work, none of them were ever completed.
“We always hoped it could be saved,” she added. “Now, we’re left with a lesson on how urgent preservation efforts must be.”
Cause of Fire Still Unknown
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, and no official explanation has been released yet. Until then, the site remains a dangerous area, with officials warning the public to stay away for safety reasons.
Looking Ahead: Protecting What’s Left
While the Berry Brown House is now a tragic loss, city leaders and historical advocates are hoping that this will start a new conversation about how to better protect Wichita Falls’ remaining historic sites.
“This is a wake-up call,” said one local preservationist. “We can’t afford to lose any more of our history.”