Messer House

Arthur Albert Messer was a British architect who practiced in Texas from about 1888 until about the turn of the 20th Century.  He was the designer of the Texas Spring Palace, a famed Fort Worth landmark that burned in 1890.  In 1892, he was joined in Texas by his younger brother, Howard.  Howard Messer was also an architect.  In that same year, the brothers formed a partnership with Marshall R. Sanguinet.  The firm was the architect for the development of Arlington Heights for the Chamberlin Development Company, and designed many of the first, large homes for the addition.  The Messer Brothers owned eight lots on Locke Avenue in the development and Arthur constructed this two and one-half story home around 1893.  The home features several different patterns of brick and a recessed porch.  Most notable, is the diamond pattern of red and brown brick over most of the lower floor.  Over the years, the home has been extensively remodeled, including the exterior.  For many years, the home sat in a deteriorating state on its hilltop, but has recently been saved.  It now serves as a bed and breakfast.