THE JOOST-OZMENT HOUSE - 922 N LINK ST (LOOK LEFT)
BUILT 1870 ALTERED 1913 TWO-STORY CLASSICAL REVIVAL

The Joost-Ozment home was originally built as a one-story dwelling in the 1870’s by Albert A. Joost who was the son of Palestine’s first merchant. This house was purchased in 1910 by Tennessee native, James Wisdom Ozment (1842-1918). He hired builder William Kraus to move the home back from the street and enlarge it into a two-story building with a classical façade. Ozment was a member of the first city council and was instrumental in restoring political power to local citizens after restoration and the occupation of Palestine by carpet-baggers. He was the first president of Palestine National Bank which opened in 1890. Ozment was responsible for bringing gas lines, a telephone company, water works and electrical utilities to Palestine. Palestine was the second city in Texas to become electrified in residential areas. At the end of his life, he suffered financial losses. The family, being too proud to ask for help, broke up and burned their furniture for heat in the winter.