Congressman G. F. Burgess House

George Farmer Burgess, born on September 21, 1861, in Wharton County, Texas, was the son of C H and Mary Burgess, whose family originated from Holland. In his youth, George worked as a farmer and later as a store clerk. He studied law in Fayette County under Fly and Davidson, was admitted to the bar in 1882, and soon became city attorney of Flatonia, Texas. In 1886, after moving to Gonzales County, he was elected county attorney.

On December 29, 1888, George married Marie Louise Simms, born in February 1870 in Louisiana. The couple settled in Gonzales, where George built a prominent legal and political career. Elected to U.S. Congress in 1902, he served until 1915, securing significant federal funding for various infrastructure projects, including the development of Galveston harbor, the Brazos River, and a segment of the intercoastal canal. He also authored a bill in 1902 that provided $50,000 to build the Gonzales post office, which was completed in 1909 and served the community until 1965.

George passed away from a heart attack here on December 31, 1919. Marie Louise died on May 6, 1932. Both are buried in the Gonzales Masonic Cemetery.

Their Queen Anne style home was designed by architect George Francis Barber — the only home in the area attributed to him. It was completed in 1897. The house features distinctive architectural elements, including a keyhole window in the living room (the only one of its kind in the area), a bull's eye window upstairs, seven gables, several stained glass windows, and four fireplaces.