Introduction to a Piece of History
If the walls in the elegant white stucco home at 2411 River Oaks Boulevard could talk, the sales price for the former Houston home of Texas Governor John B. Connally would easily surpass the listing price of $8,995,000. For when Connally and his beloved wife Nellie called it home, he served three terms as Texas governor, then worked as the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and ran for U.S. president.
A Home of Grandeur and Politics
One can only imagine the powerful tête-à-têtes, engaging dinner parties which Nellie Connally was known for, and political strategy conclaves that took place within the storied walls. This is one River Oaks mansion with a Texas Historical Marker that will surely not meet the wrecking ball. The spacious wine room at 2411 River Oaks Boulevard is just one of the standout touches at late Texas governor John Connally’s former Houston home.
Architectural Details and Amenities
Built in 1958 as his own modern styled home by Rice-educated architect Ernest Shult, the 8,400-square-foot residence boasts five bedrooms, eight full baths, one half bath, a resort-like pool setting, separate outdoor entertaining area, three-car garage and ground level quarters with a private entrance. The half-acre-plus property at the corner of River Oaks Boulevard and Locke Lane served as the Connallys’ official residence from 1969 to 1984.
Personal Touches and Family Memories
John B. Connally III recalls that when his father was a partner with the Vinson Elkins law firm, he would ride by his son’s nearby Locke Lane residence on the way home from the office and blow the car horn. It was a signal to get the grandchildren Nellie and John B. over to the governor’s house for some grandparents love. Through the decades this impressive River Oaks home has been meticulously maintained and gently updated.
Interior and Exterior Features
Of special note is the glass-enclosed, climate-controlled wine room that overlooks one of the casual entertaining areas. This River Oaks house also boasts an upstairs game room that opens to a spacious terrace, plus a poolside fitness center with a private bath. Doric columns in public areas of the neoclassical interiors definitely lend a presidential air. Immaculate hardwood, marble and stone floors are testament to the care given to the historic home.
Grounds and Additional Features
The beautifully landscaped grounds are punctuated with mature oak trees generating an air of Southern elegance to the River Oaks property. And as with any house of this importance, size and location, there is a generator. The stunning resort style setting at 2411 River Oaks Boulevard is a true gem.
Conclusion
The home is listed with Compass mother-daughter real estate agents Laura Sweeney and Lexi Sakowitz Marek. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and beautifully maintained grounds, this former home of Governor John B. Connally is a true piece of Texas history that is sure to captivate anyone who steps inside. Its walls may not be able to talk, but the stories they could tell would surely be worth more than any listing price.
