'First Texas White House' Auctioned to Highest Bidder; Was Home to Former Governor

HOUSTON, TX — Donald Trump might be preparing to move into the White House in Washington, D.C, but an unnamed bidder could be spending the holidays at his or her very own White House in La Porte, Texas.

New York-based Concierge Auctions sold the house and six-acre property on Dec. 8 for an undisclosed price. The estate had been on the market for several years and was listed for $5.5 million. The name of the buyer was not released.

The nine-bedroom, three-story house was built for Ross Sterling, the 31st governor of Texas, and was designed by Alfred Finn, the man behind the San Jacinto Monument. At the time, Sterling was an oil executiv, and had co-founded Humble Oil Company, a forerunner of Exxon-Mobil.

The mansion, known as Miramar, was modeled after the White House and boasts a 28-foot rotunda portico, as well as Galveston Bay views, marble and oak flooring, gilded molding, nine bedrooms, rooftop terrace, library, gym, and Tiffany fixtures.

Sterling spent $1.4 million and three years building what was for many years the largest private home in Texas. Legend has it that he presented Finn with a $20 bill, pointed to the White House on the back, and ordered the architect to "Build this."

Sterling died in 1949, and in his will stipulated that the house, which has direct beach access, be turned into a home for boys for the Optimist Club of Houston. It was, and operated as such until the early 1960s, when it returned to private ownership. At one point, it was owned by a French count.

According to Concierge Auctions, the most recent owner of Miramar spent $1.5 million on renovations, including the addition of a basketball court and a revamped driveway.

Here's some video footage of the mansion, courtesy of Concierge Auctions. And in case you're wondering, there is no Oval Office in Miramar.

— Image of Miramar courtesy PR Newswire