317 Third Street was built in the early 1880’s by Thomas Soaper. It is one of 4 original identical houses, 3 which still stand. (307, 313, & 317 Third)
Putnam Apartments Open House Today
Open house to permit the public to inspect Henderson’s newest apartment building, the Putnam Arms Apartments, at 317 Third Street, will be held this afternoon, Sunday, from 2 to 4 o’clock.
The building has been completely remodeled and redecorated under the supervision of I. C Richardson, and the owner, Ben Strother.
This is one of the row of houses on Third Street between Elm and Green Streets, which, when they were built in the early 1880s, were considered as among the most modern and convenient.
Early deeds show that this property, part of the block bounded by Third, Fourth, Elm and Green Streets, was known as “Blackberry Hall” according to research made by Mr. Strother.
The chain of title is equally interesting. From 1799 to 1810 it is listed under the name of Richard Henderson and Company; from 1810 to 1815, under the name of Catherine Trent; from 1815 to 1831, under the name of Daniel Comfort; from 1831 to 1835, under the name of Thomas Towles; from 1835 to 1840, under the name of William Holloway; from 1840 to 1875, under the name of George Gayle and his children; from 1875 to 1888 under the name of Lucien Dallam and Thomas Soaper. It was under this ownership that the four houses, now occupied by the Walter Quinns, the R. W. Youngbloods, the George Busbys, and Putnam Arms, were built, and the chain of title for each is different from then on. That of Putnam Arms shows ownership by Thomas Soaper from 1888 to 1900, then to Fred Frayser, then to the Henderson National Bank and Farmers Bank and Trust Company, and finally, from 1906 to 1950 the building belonged to the Methodist Church, and was used as a parsonage for the district superintendent, until it was purchased and remodeled by Mr. Strother. Originally all four houses were identical, but each owner has added to or altered his home materially.
