Although there are numerous examples of stylistic makeovers of houses throughout Texas, few so clearly illustrate the impulse to keep up with fashion as does this residence for rancher, banker, and landowner Matthew Cartwright. In 1883, he constructed an Italianate house on this large lot, and eleven years later he added a two-story entrance portico and a curved wraparound two-level gallery designed by Gill. The mansard roof, bay windows, Italianate tower, and chimneys belong to the original design. Cartwright and Gill worked together one more time. When Cartwright became president of the First National Bank of Terrell (KR4), he selected Gill to design its new building.
One block north at 611 Griffith Avenue is a Tudor Revival house (c. 1931) designed by Fooshee and Cheek of Dallas.