Live Like Lady Bird Johnson: Inside her Beloved Mount Pleasant Midcentury Modern Retreat

It isn’t often that we come across a property that piques our interest in a plethora of ways. The slant of a great home story usually hinges on history, design, or location. When you find one that delivers all of the above, you know you’ve found a front page fit. Thankfully, our friends at Compass RE Texas and Inwood National Bank understood the assignment and delivered in an epic way for this week’s Inwood Home of the Week.

Meet the majestic “Hearthside,” a historic East Texas home defined by architectural excellence, enchanting settings, and a compelling story.  

Named for its magnificent fossilized Austin limestone fireplaces, this Midcentury Modern masterpiece dazzles in its authentic aesthetics. In fact, Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson, famously named it her favorite East Texas escape. Take one look around, and it’s easy to see why.

Upon entering the lush grounds, you’re lured by the majesty of 80 foot loblolly pines. These natural beauties line the curb, serving as silent sentries, guarding the estate from the clamor and chaos of the outside world.

Of course, the home itself is as impressive as it is esteemed. Built in 1948, it was designed by European architects. The exterior is awe-inspiring from all angles. With an extended ranch-style layout, it embodies the movement’s essence while accommodating 3,760 square feet on a single level.

Upon entering, the property unfolds with palatial appeal. Off the bat, the massive living room presents a sweeping layout, original tongue-and-groove wood walls, and an iconic 12’ limestone fireplace. Then, in true MCM fashion, the space seamlessly interacts with nature through panes of glass, which overlook the serenity of the home’s private pond. 

The open layout makes it intuitive for entertaining and easily accessible for maximum interaction. In all, this space includes the living room, formal dining, and an additional seating area, perfect for intimate gatherings.

Then, the kitchen imposes a personality rooted in heritage and revamped for modern style. Here, updated appliances, refaced original oversized cabinetry, marble countertops, and a sophisticated center island arrange around an authentic cooking hearth. That’s right, the home comes equipped with the original six-foot fireplace suitable for “hanging pot,” wood-fired cooking.

The primary suite serves as an opulent refuge. Here, a stunning 10’ fireplace serves as a focal point amidst oversized windows and ample space. With more incredible views of the wraparound pond, every sunrise and sunset is your own personal work of art.

Of course, the primary bath is an elegant escape. With dual vanities, designer fixtures, and a dedicated bathing area, every routine is elevated.

Also, this suite is supplemented with a three-season room featuring vaulted ceilings, newly glazed walls of windows, and a wood-burning stove. The true lodge experience is all part of the magic of this place.

Guests always find comfort at Hearthside. With two oversized guest suites and a recently re-imagined guest bath, hosting is a must in this home.

As an added plus, the bedrooms feature updated modern closets that maximize every inch of space. In fact, this home is replete with built-in storage, exceeding that of most modern custom homes.

Finally, we can’t cover this incredible home without going over the grounds. With some of the most extensive outdoor amenities we’ve seen, this is an entertainer’s dream.

To start, the property features a lush four-tiered lawn, a spacious breezeway, and an outdoor kitchen and seating area. The grounds also feature two cabanas, which serve as dressing rooms for men and women. 

All of this overlooks the 1.5-acre pond, which was originally a swimming pool constructed of cast concrete. No longer filled with chlorinated water, a small stream now feeds the pond. The masonry foundation remains in place, but organic material has covered it over the years, providing an outstanding natural habitat for a wide variety of aquatic life. Traversing the pond’s west end stands an 80’ walking bridge, leading to the water’s far shore.

Just to the west of the estate’s walking bridge lies what biologist Bob Lusk, Editor of Pond Boss Magazine, recently described as a perfectly functioning wetland. The lush strip of land is home to the pond’s feeder stream, a bubbling underground spring sending fresh water upward from beneath the earth’s surface. Here, a variety of wildlife flourish among what the estate’s current stewards call “The East Texas Froggy Chorus” – a nightly concert featuring numerous species of frogs and toads looking for mates. The building blocks of life begin here.

All of the amenities, both inside and out, serve to make Hearthside an otherworldly retreat. Whether you’re looking to live a life free from commotion or you’re looking to invest in a venue suitable for meetings, workshops, private gatherings, and events, Hearthside is unlike any place on earth.

Paul Sanders with Compass RE Texas lists 2509 Cedar Creek Drive for $825,000.