Information
Landmark: Ace of Clubs HouseCity: Texarkana
Country: USA Arkansas
Continent: North America
Ace of Clubs House, Texarkana, USA Arkansas, North America
Overview
In Texarkana, Arkansas, the Ace of Clubs House stands out as one of the city’s rare gems, prized for its unusual, club-shaped design and rich ties to local legends that still stir conversation.The house, built in the late 1800s, stands as a rare example of architecture shaped with symbolic intent, its odd, winding floor plan and ornate trim catching the eye and securing its place as a beloved local landmark.Back in 1885, J. built the Ace of Clubs House, its fresh timber still carrying the sharp scent of sawdust.H. Cunningham, well-known around town as both a banker and a businessman, often arrived with the faint scent of polished leather clinging to his jacket.They call it that because the house’s odd layout, seen from above, looks just like the clubs suit in a deck of cards-three rounded lobes joined at the center.The design spoke volumes about its owner’s imagination and social standing, blending bold ideas into the home’s architecture and stirring whispers over coffee at the corner café.Over the decades, the house has changed hands many times, yet it still stands as a protected historical site, offering a glimpse of the polished wood floors, ornate trim, and refined tastes that once reflected the ambitions of Texarkana’s late 19th-century elite.The Ace of Clubs House grabs attention with its bold, symbolic design-a floor plan shaped like a playing card’s club, three rounded wings reaching out from a snug central hub like petals from a stem.Its unusual design turns it into both a livable home and an architectural oddity, the kind that makes passersby slow down to stare.Outside, the house shows off its Victorian charm with steep roofs, intricate wood carvings, a broad porch that wraps around like an embrace, and delicate trim-hallmarks of the grand homes from that era.Step inside and you’ll discover parlors, bedrooms, and other working spaces, all laid out in the distinctive shape of a club-like rooms unfolding along a curved handle.Polished wood floors, antique furnishings, and intricate trim keep the past alive, offering a vivid glimpse into the warmth of a 19th-century home.Its blend of fresh design, quiet elegance, and fine craftsmanship has turned the house into a magnet for attention, drawing architects with sketchbooks in hand and curious passersby who linger at the gate.Beyond its quirky architecture, the Ace of Clubs House stands as a proud emblem of Texarkana’s past; its odd, card-shaped design has sparked local legends, with neighbors swapping stories of how-and why-it was built on a hot summer afternoon.Historic Preservation: Valued for its rare charm and rich past, the house still stands, its weathered porch boards carrying Texarkana’s architectural story forward.Community Landmark: It’s a source of pride and a living link to the city’s late 19th-century boom, when brick storefronts gleamed in the afternoon sun.This house blends striking visuals with rich history, making it a place where you can both learn and have fun-like spotting the worn brass doorknob from a century ago.At the Ace of Clubs House, visitors step into a space where quirky angles meet rich history, like sunlight slanting across a worn wooden floor.As they walk through, they notice how the club-shaped design guides the placement of rooms, lets sunlight spill across the floors, and shapes the way people move from one area to the next.On guided tours, you’ll hear about the house’s striking design, the life of its first owner, and the stories woven into its walls, all blending into a rich mix of architecture, history, and local culture.Photographers, architecture lovers, and families wander through the place, drawn to its inviting façade and intricate interior, where each wing reveals a fresh view or a small, unexpected delight like sunlight spilling across carved wood.The Ace of Clubs House sits in the heart of Texarkana’s historic district, easy to reach on foot or by car, with street parking right outside and sidewalks shaded by old elm trees.Because of its historic character, major changes aren’t possible, but the team has found ways to keep visitors safe-like adding sturdy railings along the old stone steps.Guides share stories and point out details, while brochures and maps fill in the background, making every visit richer and more engaging.In the end, the Ace of Clubs House stands out as a rare landmark, blending bold architecture, rich history, and a touch of local legend-like the creak of its old wooden porch beneath your feet.With its club-shaped layout, ornate Victorian trim, and interiors kept in remarkable condition, the building gives visitors a rare window into the texture and ingenuity of 19th‑century life in Texarkana-right down to the gleam of polished wood.Part museum, part visual marvel, the house still draws locals and visitors alike, its weathered brick and carved wood a striking tribute to the city’s cultural and architectural legacy.
