Built in 1914 for Frank Merriman Fly and Stella Miller Fly, this substantial American Four Square residence reflects the rise of a lawman turned banker who became a stabilizing force during the financial crises of the 1930s. Born June 12, 1866 at Big Hill, Frank worked in the Peck & Fly store, served as a deputy under Sheriff Dick Glover, and was appointed sheriff in 1901 after Glover’s death. He later moved into banking, joining Gonzales State Bank in 1909 and serving as president until 1940. Contemporary accounts credit him with using personal funds to keep the bank operating during the Great Depression.
House history. In April 1914 the Flys hired Waelder builder Capp Smith to construct a three story brick Four Square. The house was completed in the fall of 1914. Surviving descriptions note construction in local brick, walls nearly two feet thick, and a half cellar originally equipped with a coal furnace, all signaling durable construction and early adoption of central heating.
Architecture and interiors. The street front presents a broad terrazzo porch carried on solid brick columns, with a balanced, cubic massing typical of the Four Square type. Inside, period finishes include golden oak and curly pine millwork, original brass hardware, and a central stair that organizes generous formal rooms on the main floor. Later restoration retained these finishes and the original circulation pattern.
Later use. The property is documented today as the home of Laurel Ridge Antiques and the Inn at Laurel Ridge, with the historic house address identified in local coverage. Public facing profiles emphasize the building’s 1914 origin, intact finishes, and its dual function as antiques gallery and lodging.