In the early morning hours of Sunday, July 10, 2022, a fire was reported in the 500 block of Burkett Street in Taylor. The property, which is the historic family home of Dr. James Lee Dickey, is said to be a total loss.
A restoration effort of the Dickey House has been underway for some time now. First launched back in 2018, the structure was in the final phase of restoration, with plans for completion in time for a community celebration coinciding with Juneteenth in 2023.
In 1921, Dr. Dickey began his practice as the only Black physician in Williamson County. Dickey House is in the heart of Taylor’s Health Equity Zone – census tracts identified as having higher-than-average health risks and socio-economic burdens. According the Dickey House board, the vision remains: to provide community members with equitable access to trusted systems of care.
The Texas State Fire Marshal’s office has been contacted to investigate the cause of the fire.
