Gary Brewer's deck house

31°31′46.9″N 94°6′43.2″W / 31.529694°N 94.112000°W / 31.529694; -94.112000

The house in June

Carpenter and artist Gary Brewer's house in San Augustine, Texas has been modified by its owner with the addition of three stories of decks stretching 56 feet in the air. It is positioned directly next to the architecturally conservative San Augustine commercial district, and across the street from the San Augustine County Courthouse. It presents in a Gothic style and is adorned with religious imagery, like crosses and a portrait of Jesus, although its creator denies taking influence from anything in particular.[1]

Statues, sculptures, and paintings also made by Brewer are displayed on and around the house.[2]

History and regulation

Brewer had been an ironworker before he moved to the San Augustine area, afterwards becoming a carpenter. In 2006 he moved into the house in San Augustine and began to plan the structure after building the first deck for his hot tub. The plan then called for the structure culminating in a steeple topping at 70 feet high.[1]

In 2019, fearing further expansions,[1] San Augustine introduced a height limit ordinance to prevent his building from eclipsing the courthouse. The ordinance prevents buildings from going above 35 feet and for structures taller to require an architect's approval. Despite controversy in the town, with criticism including its domination of the landscape and allegations of Satanism, further expansions were subsequently approved,[3] after which the highest point of the structure, the crow's nest, was added.[4] Brewer sees his building as a sign of an improving San Augustine,[5] which has been portrayed negatively in popular culture.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Ferguson, Wes (20 May 2020). "For Years, an East Texas Carpenter Has Been Building a Gothic Contraption of Decks and Spikes in a Historic Square". Texas Monthly. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  2. ↑ Terpening, Andrew (17 November 2025). "Reaching for the Skies". The East Texas Weekend. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  3. ↑ White, Tyre (1 December 2023). "San Augustine artist explains thoughts behind multi-tiered deck constructed above home". KTRE. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  4. ↑ White, Tyre (27 June 2025). "'Not scary at all': San Augustine deck house owner goes to new heights". KTRE. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  5. ↑ McAuliffe, Shane (30 December 2024). "The Texas Bucket List – The Deck in San Augustine". The Texas Bucket List. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
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