Joe F. and Amelia Jecker House
104 N. Liberty, Victoria - Victoria County, Texas

After Republic of Texas President Sam Houston granted the original land to the corporation of the town of Victoria in december 1841, the Rev. William C. Blair purchased several parcels of land in the community, including this one. Blair came from Natchez, Mississippi in 1838 and organized a presbyterian church and sabbath school across the street from this lot on what became known as Presbyterian Church Square.

Blair sold this site in 1851, and the property changed hands several times before James B.P. January purchased it in 1859. January, a native of Kentucky, had come to victoria following service as a physician for the Army of the Republic of Texas and for the U.S. Army during the U.S-Mexico War. he settled in Victoria and became a full-time community doctor; he built a house here by 1860. In 1872, he sold the property to George Williams, who served a term as Victorias mayor. A sharp increase in the value of the property during Williams ownership indicates changes or new construction at the site. Louis Jecker bought it in April 1885 and gave the north half of the lot, including the Williams home, to his daughter Theresa Amelia Jecker shortly after she wed her cousin Joseph F. Jecker.

The Jeckers later hired noted victoria architect Jules C. Leffland to remodel the home, and contractor Henry Schroeder completed the extensive project in the fall of 1904. The Jecker family owned the property until 1971, and subsequent owners have preserved the structure and the details added during the 1904 renovation, including turned spindle frieze work and jig-sawn brackets. The home, which reflects victorian-era design, remains a landmark in the community as the closest extant residence to De Leon Plaza.