A few hours after midnight on Halloween 1998, the historic J. D. Cooper home caught fire. Believed to be a teenage prank that quickly escalated, flames soon engulfed the large, wooden structure. Dozens of firefighters battled the blaze in the darkness. Ultimately, the fire destroyed the roof and charred the second floor, causing smoke and water damage to the interior and many of its antique furnishings.

Officials questioned a suspect, but there was a lack of evidence, as often is the case with arson. (Evidence often perishes in the fire, and witnesses are usually scarce.) No one was charged with the crime.

J. D. Cooper Home – November 1998, shortly after the fire
Photo Credit: Fielder Museum Facebook page and Neil Tucker

Although there was an initial rally to repair or restore the home, the task and cost proved too great. Safety hazards, including asbestos and lead-based paint, complicated the issue, along with the nearly $1 million price tag. There were disagreements on what to do with the building, how to do it, and who should pay for it. Finally, after nearly two years of sitting idle in its fire-damaged state, salvage efforts were permitted to commence. The remains of the 120-year-old structure were demolished soon after.

The memory of the house lives on, though. Cooper’s great-grandson Neil Tucker and his wife, Becky, later built a replica of the house on Cork Oak Court in North Arlington, and restored pieces of the original were used as part of a law office on Abram Street.

As one of the oldest structures in Arlington, the cherished building had sentimental and historical value. The fire resulted in a tremendous loss for the community.

J. D. Cooper (1841-1917) was one of Arlington’s earliest pioneers and is Cooper Street’s namesake. He built the home in 1878, located near Cooper and Abram Streets. The house remained in the Cooper family until the 1950s when it was donated to the City of Arlington. The structure was moved to Meadowbrook Park, serving as a city library until 1961. The Arlington Woman’s Club then took over the lease; they utilized and maintained the building until the fire.

J. D. Cooper Home – year unknown
Photo Credit: Fielder Museum Facebook page

The stately, impressive two-story home with Colonial Revival architecture had a towering frame and was distinguishable by its beautiful white columns on the porch. It had elegance and grandeur. The house was recognized with a Texas Historical Marker in 1965 for its architectural and historical significance. The marker is now displayed at the Fielder Museum in our Cooper Gallery.

Many people have fond memories of the building, especially once it was moved to Meadowbrook Park.

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Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 11-01-24