Charles Hoskins House

Charles Henry Hoskins was born on July 30, 1881, in Terrell, Texas. His family moved to South Texas in 1891, settling in this area by 1895. Charles began his career working at the Kokernot Brothers grocery store before joining the family’s dry goods business, which would later be known as B.B. Hoskins & Sons. By 1910, Charles had risen to the position of president of Hoskins Mercantile Company, marking a period of prosperity for both the family and the town of Gonzales, which was experiencing significant economic growth in the early 20th century, driven by local businesses and regional trade.

On January 12, 1910, Charles married Mary Kennon Jones, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Jones. The newlyweds honeymooned in New York before returning to Gonzales, where Charles purchased the land to build their future home. Renowned architect Atlee B. Ayers was hired to design the house, which was completed in 1911. Other notable homes from that same year include the R.S. Dilworth, S.H. Hopkins, and H.W. Matthews houses.

Charles passed away on December 30, 1918, as a result of the 1918-1920 flu pandemic, commonly known as the Spanish Flu. This global health crisis, which left devastating effects across the world, also struck Gonzales, where many lives were lost. His wife, Mary, passed away on September 3, 1938. Both are buried in the Gonzales Masonic Cemetery.