Mellie Valencia
In the heart of Huntsville, where the spirit of the Wild West meets modern creativity, a quirky architectural gem stands tall—a Cowboy Hat House that has transformed into a charming Airbnb.
The late Dan Phillips was a Texas homebuilder who built the Cowboy Hat House on 11th Street. Phillips’ houses are different because he used scraps from other buildings instead of buying new materials. For example, inside the Hat House, the floor is lined with cut-offs from granite shops, which limited the cost. Because of this creativity, the houses are considered affordable housing.
In late 2021, a Houston land developer bought the strip of land on which the Hat House sits. The developers hoped to turn the land into a small shopping center, but Huntsville locals were not pleased. A group of residents signed a petition opposing the demolition.
“They were just going to be torn down. And fortunately, people like me didn’t want to see [the houses] destroyed and taken over with the strip mall,” said Joe Agins, owner of the Cowboy Hat House.
In 2024, husband and wife Joe and Lori Agins purchased the Cowboy Hat House, driven by their passion for preserving local history. Their goal was to renovate it and attract new visitors to Huntsville, ensuring that the unique charm of the house lives on.
Stepping inside, Lori Agins aimed to create a unique atmosphere that matched the look of Phillips’ existing design.
“I hit a lot of thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, wherever I can. I’m always out. I pretty much hit some type of a resale shop at least a couple [of] times a week. I can’t help myself,” Lori explained.
In addition to picking up decor at stores, she will gather items and revamp them to fit the house’s theme.
The Cowboy Hat House stands out more than its decor and uniqueness. The revamped house is now an Airbnb that visitors can rent for $125 a night. The Agins hoped to provide everything guests need to enjoy their stay, including a washer and dryer, two furnished bedrooms, a record player/speaker, and even outdoor furniture to enjoy the view from the top of the hat.
Michelle, from Lockhart, stayed at the house in February and left the following positive review:“Every single corner is curated so thoughtfully and is cool as heck. It’s clear that the owners put a lot of love into creating an unforgettable atmosphere and experience for their guests.”
The Agins are proud of their work saving the Hat House from demolition and preserving its unique atmosphere.
“Our goal was to create something [we want] to stay in. And so far, I think we’ve achieved that,” Joe Agins said.