LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – An East Texas man may have one of the area\u2019s most historic collections. Ken Oden restores historical homes and buildings.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an effort to preserve them exactly how they were originally seen.<\/p>\n
His newest project is over 120 years old.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis looks like a guy who bought a perfectly good house and then tore it up. Which is so far, exactly what has happened,\u201d Oden said.<\/p>\n
Some people golf and some play cards — but for Ken Oden — his hobby is a gamble in its own right.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is the challenge of historic preservation. It ain\u2019t a coat of paint,\u201d Oden said.<\/p>\n
He collects century-old buildings and restores them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has been a natural process for me. And it\u2019s sorta taken over my life,\u201d Oden said.<\/p>\n
After beginning with a couple projects in Central Texas — 15 years ago, he set his sights on Longview\u2019s Teague House.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was quite a project,\u201d Oden said. \u201cProbably the largest project I\u2019ve ever attempted. The Teague family had a thriving community here before Longview. They ran the first school, ran the first post office. This was the first stagecoach stop before there was a railroad.\u201d<\/p>\n
The over 150-year-old home is filled with original furniture from Ken\u2019s grandparent\u2019s home and authentic period pieces.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t fancy it up like you\u2019re trying to make it for Better Homes and Gardens,\u201d Oden said. \u201cThe purpose is looking back and bringing it forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even the paint for the home\u2019s original trim was restored. The exact shade of blue now coating chairs and flower pots on the property as well.<\/p>\n
And through a Facebook Market place scroll, Ken acquired the old Longview railroad junction.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a soft spot in my heart for anything related to the railroad history of East Texas,\u201d Oden said. \u201cMy grandfather worked 38 years for the railroad, my dad 35 years for the railroad, I worked for the railroad…my brothers and cousins –everybody! The railroad was a big part of this community. It was certainly a big part of our lives.\u201d <\/p>\n
That tradition and same train stop now apart of a new generation…<\/p>\n
\u201cMy granddaughters think the depot is their playhouse. I do too,\u201d Oden said.<\/p>\n
His newest addition is 128 years old. The Finch-Blount House.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe history of this community is very much wrapped up into these three families and those like them,\u201d Oden said of the Teague, Finch and Blount families.<\/p>\n
It arrived in three parts, the roof having to be removed for transit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was no way to get it under any of the railroad underpasses. It was just too tall,\u201d Oden said.<\/p>\n
He said nostalgia for his upbringing and childhood is what spurs the preservation on.<\/p>\n
\u201cWanting to pay some kind of tribute to that, the Teague house became a vehicle for that. I love it all,\u201d Oden said.<\/p>\n
Currently, the Teague House is used for different events, Boy Scout meetings, Ken\u2019s law office, and even weddings.<\/p>\n
When it comes to the plans for the Finch-Blount House \u2014 Oden said he\u2019s open to suggestions and trusts the process to lead him to the purpose.<\/p>\n
Restoring the Finch-Blount home roof will be crucial to maintaining the property\u2019s historical marker title, so that is a main focus of Oden\u2019s newest project.<\/p>\n
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