A piece of Wichita Falls history might soon be gone forever. After a massive fire over the weekend, the well-known Berry Brown House is now badly damaged and could be demolished soon. The house, which had been a part of the city’s heritage for decades, is now being seen as a public safety risk.
A Sad Day for Wichita Falls Heritage
The Victorian-style, two-story house was once full of life and history. Now, after the fire, it stands in ruins. Karen Montgomery-Gagne, a Principal Planner for the City of Wichita Falls, said the damage was heartbreaking.
“It was really sickening and saddening,” she said. “Sadly, this is the reality of our fears coming true.”
Montgomery-Gagne believes the house is one step away from being officially condemned, which means the city might have no choice but to tear it down.
Firefighters Faced Intense Flames
Fire Marshal Craig Berend explained how intense the fire was. When crews arrived, the house was fully engulfed in flames and heavy smoke.
“It was fully involved,” Berend said. “They tried to attack it at first, but had to go defensive quickly. There was just too much fire and heat. We had to use the ladder truck and then hand lines to control it.”
More Than Just a House
The Berry Brown House was not just any old building. It had been listed as a historic landmark since November 1985—almost 40 years ago. It once belonged to former Wichita Falls Alderman Berry Brown, a key figure in the city’s development.
Montgomery-Gagne said buildings like this remind us of where our communities come from and where they’re going. They hold value not only for the owners but for the entire city.
An Endangered Landmark Since 2006
The house was listed by the nonprofit Preservation Texas as one of the state’s endangered historic structures since 2006. The hope was to raise awareness and maybe find a group to help preserve and maintain it.
“This was an opportunity to bring attention to the building,” Montgomery-Gagne said. “Maybe a group could’ve worked with the owners to save it.”
Unfortunately, that chance may now be gone.
Losing a Piece of History
As city officials now consider declaring the house a public hazard, Wichita Falls is getting closer to losing a rare piece of its history. While the fire caused major damage, the loss feels much deeper for many in the community.
The Berry Brown House stood not only as a building but as a symbol of the city’s past. If it’s brought down, a part of Wichita Falls’ story will go with it. Efforts to save such landmarks are important because they help remind future generations of the people and events that shaped their hometown.