This Eastlake Victorian style home was built by Eugene Pillot in 1868. It quickly became a local landmark in Houston, because of the house’s architectural charm and partly because of the dog sculptures.

Today the house rests in Sam Houston Park by downtown Houston, with a collection of other historic structures.

I have always loved a home with a long, wrapping front porch. It invites you to come outside and enjoy the shade. It’s my theory that we stopped knowing our neighbors when homes were no longer built large front porches. Most new homes barely have enough of a porch to stand on while you unlock the door.