Each half has a central cross formed by point of two vertical spears meeting in center of horizontally placed broadsword, giving the house its popular name.

[6] The Gaud family bought the Sword Gate House in 1949 following almost two decades of vacancy and repaired and furnished the buildings.

[7] Eventually, by 1959, they chose to pursue a subdivision of the property and sell off two lots facing on Legare Street to make ends meet.

The plan was met with strong neighborhood opposition, but a city zoning board eventually approved the subdivision in late 1959.

[9] George E. Roosevelt bought house in 1963 from Mrs. H.C. Shackelford and reversed the multiple subdivisions of the parcel that had taken place.

The work reassembled three lots that had been subdivided into a single parcel and converted the entire structure back into a single-family house.