Sterling Mansion showcases history, luxury and White House south portico

HOUSTON, Feb. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- An iconic 21,000 square foot mansion built in 1925 by the founder of Humble Oil Company (precursor to ExxonMobil) was offered for sale today by John Daugherty, Realtors in Houston, Texas.

Texas farm-boy, entrepreneur and eventual Texas Governor Ross Sterling spent $1.4 million and three years building what was for many years the largest private home in Texas. Legend has it he handed architect Alfred Finn a $20 bill, pointed to the White House view on the back and said "Build this."  While Lyndon Baines Johnson's home in Perdernales claimed the "Texas White House" title from the Sterling Mansion during his presidency — locals know it's on Morgan's Point, 25 miles from downtown Houston on Galveston Bay.

While there is no oval office on the floor plan, much of the original oak and Bird's Eye maple floors, mahogany panels, Tiffany fixtures, bronze plumbing and other features remain throughout the nine-bedroom, 15-bath home.

The Grand Salon comfortably hosted a housewarming party for 600 in 1927. Only nine miles from Johnson Space Center, the owner during the 1970s hosted "Back to Earth" parties for astronauts.

The property sits on six waterfront acres with its own sea wall. The current owners added palm trees and a small sand beach to the private water's edge.  The lower level of the home includes a full media room, gymnasium, billiard room, fireplace, two bathrooms with four showers and a full "canning kitchen." The main kitchen offers contemporary appliances, granite counters and two butler's pantries.

Morgan's Point is part of the original Mexican land grant to Texas and was once home to the "Yellow Rose of Texas" Emily West.  The New York Times once referred to the small community as "Gatsby in cowboy boots" during Sterling's era.

The home is offered by agents Linn Neese and Chris Foster of John Daugherty, Realtors serving fine Houston neighborhoods and families since 1969.

For media inquiry please contact:

Melissa Stevens   713 419 0000
[email protected]
Stevens PR Group

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160218/335104

SOURCE John Daugherty, Realtors