Nicolas Xiong's Living History Journal: Local Historical Site in Katy, Texas

Photo courtesy of Google Map

It recently dawned on me that I have been to this local historical site in Katy, Texas countless times over the last six years, but never really thought about its history. As a matter of fact, I have spent several summers here with its owners. For this project, I interviewed the owners, my mentor, Mr. Samuel Saenz and his wife, Dr. Karen Pitts Saenz.

The house was built in 1910 in Katy, Texas. The address is 5718 Fifth Street. P. C. Pitts and his wife F. A. Stockdick Pitts moved into the house in 1947. Their daughter Karen Pitts was 1 year old at the time. In 1972, Mrs. Pitts passed away and the following year Samuel N. Saenz and Karen Pitts Saenz moved in to the home to be with Mr. P. C. Pitts. Mr. Pitts passes away in mid-1970's leaving the home to Mr. and Mrs. Saenz. During the 1986 Texas Sesquicentennial year, the house was cited as a historical home as one of the first homes built in the Katy area. A historical marker was erected by the local Texas Sesquicentennial Committee for this quaint ancestral home.

The home is not open to visitors and there are no exhibits other than the plaque in front of the house.The home is in a business district and city council was petitioned in 1980's to allow the home to become a homestead. The petition was granted and the home is still in the residential classification. There are no special rules that apply to the home as it is not a "National Historical Home." It is only a Texas State recognition.