Ferrier Homes History

Ferrier Homes History

For over 140 years, the Ferrier name has been rooted in craftsmanship, innovation, and a commitment to building with purpose. From skilled Scottish stonemasons shaping Texas courthouses in the 1880s to modern-day high-performance custom homes, this multigenerational legacy reflects a deep passion for quality construction and continuous evolution. Explore the timeline below to see how Ferrier Homes came to be—and the history that continues to shape its future.

1881

Alexander Ferrier

The Beginning

  • Alexander Ferrier, Jr. immigrated to the United States in 1881 from Scotland, along with his younger brothers David and Peter. They were recruited by Texas representatives seeking skilled stonemasons to help construct the new State Capitol building.

  • While waiting for Capitol construction to begin, the brothers took on a major stone masonry contract for a railroad project, working from Del Rio, Texas to Mexico City—an early testament to their work ethic and craftsmanship.

  • Upon returning to Texas, Alexander Jr. was appointed head supervisor for stone cutting and dressing at the quarry supplying material for the Texas State Capitol, cementing his reputation as a master stonemason and leader.

1883-1884

Laying the Foundation
  • In 1883, the Ferrier brothers worked as stonemasons on the construction of the Shackelford County Courthouse in Albany, Texas—one of their earliest major projects in the state
  • In 1884, they served as both general contractors and stonemasons for the Baylor County Courthouse in Seymour, Texas, showcasing their growing expertise and leadership in large-scale construction.
  • Their reputation led to additional work, including the Knox County Courthouse in Benjamin, Texas, along with numerous other stone and double-brick buildings throughout North and Central Texas.
  • Alexander Ferrier, Jr. earned recognition throughout the region as a master stonemason and general contractor, laying the foundation for a multigenerational legacy in construction.

Early 1900's

Ferrier Bridge Work and Family Growth

  • The Ferrier family operated under multiple business names over time, including Ferrier Bros & Wirz, Ferrier Brothers Bridge Company, and Ferrier Brothers Material Company—each reflecting different phases of their evolving construction legacy.

  • William “Mack” Ferrier, the eldest of 12 children of Alexander Jr. and Rosa Wirz Ferrier, founded the original Ferrier Bridge Company before World War II, pausing operations during the war.

  • Twin brothers Otho and Otto Ferrier grew up learning the trade in the family business and, at age 32, volunteered for the U.S. Navy Seabees during WWII, bringing their concrete expertise to military construction efforts.

1952

Ferrier Brothers Bridge Company Reestablished in Seymour, TX

  • Post-war, the three brothers—Mack, Otho, and Otto—reestablish Ferrier Brothers Bridge Company in Seymour, TX.

  • Ferrier Brothers Bridge Company reestablished in Seymour, TX with a new 13,000 sq. ft. office and maintenance facility to support growing statewide operations.

  • Employed 212 workers at its peak—an impressive number for a town with a population of just 2,500—making the company a major economic driver in the region.

  • Hosted a public open house for the new facility, serving barbecued beef, venison, elk, and hog; the event drew an estimated 1,000 attendees from the community.

  • Contracted with TXDOT to build bridges and concrete box culverts throughout Texas, with projects ranging from the Panhandle to Dallas/Fort Worth, south to Austin, and west to Midland/Odessa.

13,000 sq. ft. office and maintenance facility

Open House/Grand Opening

Bridge Work – Circa 1960’s

Three brothers—Otto, Mack, and Otho

Bridge Work – Circa 1960’s

1965–1984

Donald and Otho Ferrier

Donald Joins the Legacy

  • In 1965, at just 14 years old, Donald Ferrier began working on his father’s bridge crew—marking the official start of his lifelong career in construction and continuing the family’s multigenerational legacy.

  • In 1974, Donald graduated from college, bringing formal education and fresh perspective into the family business as he prepared to take on a larger leadership role.

  • By 1977, Donald became a one-third owner of Ferrier Brothers Bridge Company, helping guide the business through a period of continued growth and regional impact.

  • In 1984, Ferrier Brothers Bridge Company was officially liquidated, bringing to a close a remarkable chapter in Texas infrastructure development and paving the way for a new generation of building through Ferrier Builders, Inc.

1984-2002

Ferrier Builders, Inc. & Energy-Efficient Innovation

  • April 1984: Donald and his mother, Bernice “Bee” Ferrier, found Ferrier Builders, Inc.

  • Donald continues in structural concrete, primarily building earth-sheltered homes—extremely energy-efficient homes built into hillsides using concrete shells.

  • These homes feature passive solar design with concrete thermal mass and south-facing windows for natural heating and cooling.

  • Donald builds 19 earth-sheltered homes.

  • 1985: Introduced to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)—high-efficiency building technology—by architect Ray Booth and the National Residential Group.

    • First SIP project: guardhouse at The Cloisters condominiums (Arlington, TX).

  • 1986: Donald is hired to build an entire custom home for Bernie and Patricia Bradley—not just the shell. This marks the true beginning of his custom homebuilding career.

  • 2002: Donald founds Ferrier Custom Homes, LP to manage the growing custom home division separately from Ferrier Builders, Inc.

  • Ferrier Custom Homes specializes in high-performance, environmentally responsible construction using SIPs and other cutting-edge building systems.

2003

Fourth Generation Joins the Legacy – Heather Ferrier Enters the Family Business

  • Heather Ferrier officially joined the company full time in 2003, proudly becoming the fourth generation in the Ferrier family to continue its long-standing tradition in the building industry.

  • Her connection to the business began much earlier, having unofficially helped out since the age of 9, where she gained early hands-on experience in both the field and the office.

  • Over time, Heather took on a growing leadership role, contributing to project management, business operations, and client service, all while deepening her expertise in high-performance, energy-efficient building.

  • She was later named General Manager, overseeing day-to-day operations and playing a key role in Ferrier Homes’ continued evolution and success.

2002-Present

The Evolution of Ferrier Homes and a Focus on High-Performance Building
  • April 2024: Celebrates 40 years of Ferrier Builders, Inc.
  • Fall 2024: Ferrier Builders changes logo slightly to “Ferrier Homes”

  • April 2025: Marks 41 years since Donald launched his independent building legacy.

  • Donald continues to be a recognized leader in sustainable, energy-efficient residential construction.

  • Ferrier Homes receives the “Best Builder” award from D Homes from the better part of 15 years running.
  • In 2026, Heather will serve as Chair of the NAHB Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council, a national leadership position that reflects her passion for the industry and commitment to empowering others within it.