A Moment in History The Porter House at 607 Johnson
Born February 18, 1869, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Mary Sherrill Frost moved to Big Spring with her father and brother in 1886, the same year her mother died. A friend of her father’s, Dr. W.C. Barnett, pioneer physician, had reported back to Parker County, Texas, and told of a wonderful place in Howard County.
They joined with the Barnetts for the move to Howard County. Mary (known as Mollie) rode on the train and noticed the dry barren land. She said “it was wild, and life was hard. A man did a full day’s work for what wages he received. Business was mostly that of cattlemen and cowhands who came into town to ship their cattle by rail.”
Mollie’s father, James Frost ,established the first dairy in the area. The dairy was in what is today’s Kentwood area. “A good distance from the town.” stated Mollie. She remembered how milk cans were filled and hauled in a wagon to town, where customers brought their own pitchers to be filled.
On January 8, 1895, Mollie married John Presley Porter in her father’s home at 607 Johnson. Mollie’s father, J.A. Frost, served as Howard County Commissioner #2 in 1900, and her husband, James Porter, was Hide-animal Inspector 1904. James Porter died on August 27, 1906. No explanation was given regarding his death; however, Mollie was left with four small children to raise on her own. The oldest daughter, Susan, was 8, twins Ethel and Athel were 3, and one son, Lee Porter, aged 1. Mollie was a seamstress and took in renters occasionally. She raised her children in the three-bedroom, one-bath home on Johnson. All four children graduated from BSHS. Once they were old enough, they helped their mother out as much as possible. She was proud of her children, and they were proud of their mother and her sacrifices. Mollie died on May 2, 1971, at the age of 102.
The house at 607 Johnson sits across from KBST and is for sale. What a tribute to buy this historical home and restore it to its original glory — a home that withstood the storms of life and sheltered this family for many years.
The home at 607 Johnson where Mollie Frost Porter raised her four children and lived until her death in 1971.