Judge R. I. Munroe House

Located at 2417 Ethel Avenue, in the Provident Heights addition within the Historic Sanger-Heights Neighborhood, is the Judge R. I. Munroe House.

Attorney Richard Irby Munroe, born November 12, 1858, moved from Florida to Waco in 1881 and was one of only three Attorneys in Waco at the time. He served as City Attorney from 1887 to 1908. During this time he devised a charter for the City Of Waco. Attorney Munroe became a District Judge of the 54th Judicial District in 1908. He presided over hundreds of cases including the Jesse Washington trial, and the Clyde Barrow trial. Judge Munroe was the first to convict Clyde Barrow to prison.

2417 Ethel Avenue, now registered as a City of Waco Historic Landmark Property, was one of the first six houses erected by Samuel Colcord in Provident Heights, all on Ethel Avenue. Munroe purchased the house from Colcord on November 21, 1893 for $2,475.00

After Munroe was appointed as Judge, he had his home remodeled and added on to in order to befit his prominent position.

 The below circa 1912 Gildersleeve photo shows the restyling of the house. The front porch was expanded and is adorned with graceful arches and Ionic Columns on Brick Pilasters. All of the eaves have been flared outward with graceful curves.

A second major remodel in 1915 included several new additions.

A sunroom, side porch, and multi-paned windows with sidelights and transom were added to surround the front door. Roof spires and trim were also added.

Judge Munroe passed away in 1942, leaving the house to his only son Robert, a Rear Admiral to the U S Navy. Robert placed the house and it's contents for sale in 1946 for $10,000.00

The house and it's contents were purchased by Winnie Warren in August of 1946. She lived in the house until her death in 1993.

The house was sold four times from 1994 until 2017 when Winnie Warren’s grandson, Bland Schwarting (author of this blog!) and Joe Herrera purchased it with plans to restore it back to it's former glory.

The house had suffered great damage from various remodelings but using hundreds of family photographs and 8mm film, Bland and Joe spent the next four and a half years on its restoration. Judge Munroe's furniture was returned to the home and his beautiful 1912-1915 wallpaper was reproduced to grace the walls of the Foyer, Parlor, and Dining Room once again.

The current owners of the Munroe House think Judge Munroe and the Warrens would be most pleased with the current status of such a historic home.