Architecture
The Curtis Mansion
W.R. and Ida (Rogers) Miller, rich from good cotton years at turn of the century, built this late Victorian house in 1902. In its architecture, Queen Anne features are mingled with Shingle style then popular in the eastern U.S. The design included fireplaces in every room. Fine materials and detailing inside and out gave elegance to the structure. The later owners, particularly the A.
Architecture
The Curtis Mansion
Cotton broker William Ray Miller (1868-1954) and his wife Ida (Rogers) built this structure in 1902 and lived here with their large family about six years. Mrs. Miller was from Galveston, and had graduated from Baylor College (now Mary Hardin-Baylor). Born in Kentucky, Miller grew up in Belton, the son of a merchant.
History
The Hiram B. Reynolds Property
Born in Tennessee, Hiram B. Reynolds (1858-1929) came to Texas with his parents in 1866 and lived near Sparta, a locality now absorbed into Fort Hood. He grew up on a farm and received a good education. Going into business, he had stores in Nolanville and Belton, and became a successful cotton broker and investor in farms. He married in 1904 Mrs.
Architecture
The Major A.J. Rose House
Built in 1870-72, this structure typifies the Greek Revival style with its symmetrical facade. The residence was constructed for former Confederate officer Archibald Johnson Rose (1830-1903) and his large family. A prosperous farmer, Rose participated in state and community activities. He was a leader in the Grange movement and in efforts to improve the quality of education.
History
The Texas Baptist Educational Society
On October 7, 1841, at a meeting in Fayette County, Union Baptist Association Members organized the Texas Baptist Educational Society to coordinate various educational programs. R.E.B. Baylor (1791-1873), the first society president, and William M. Tryon (1809-1847) secured a charter in 1845 for the formation of Baylor College at Independence.
Architecture
Twelve Oaks
Greek Revival mansion built of stone from adjacent land, for B.D. McKie, Texas doctor who fought and was wounded in Mexican and Civil Wars. Restoration by parents of Lt. Henry Clay de Grummond, Jr., World War II combat hero, is dedicated to his memory. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1964
History
W. Goodrich Jones (1860-1950)
Known as "Father of Forestry in Texas." Came to Temple, 1888, as a banker. Planted first tree (a pecan) in town; this led to establishing Arbor Day in Texas in 1889, through legislation introduced by Sen. Geo. W. Tyler. In 1914 Jones organized Texas Forestry Association, which saw creation of Texas Department of Forestry, signed into law in 1915 by Gov. James E. Ferguson.
Architecture
Wedemeyer House
A distinctive Victorian house, associated with one of the historic private schools of Bell County. Charles H. Wedemeyer (1857-1938), a former teacher and administrator of Baylor University, Crane College, and Waco University, moved here with his wife Mary (Johnson) and family in 1887. They built this home in 1891, adjoining Wedemeyer Academy, where many area leaders were educated.
History
West Salado Cemetery
Located in an area populated by former slaves following the Civil War, this cemetery dates to the 1870s. The earliest documented grave is that of Jozie Fulbright, who died in 1877, although according to local oral tradition there may be earlier unmarked burials. The land was officially deeded by Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson for church, school, and graveyard purposes in 1879.
History
William Whitaker Reed
(January 23, 1816 - August 21, 1891) A native of Tennessee, William W. Reed came to Texas with his parents, Michael and Martha Reed, in 1833 and joined Robertson's colony in 1834. His land grant was situated near his parents' land on the south bank of the Little River. The family survived "The Runaway Scrape" during the Texas Revolution, after which William W.
History
Wilma Carlton
Wilma Carlton was born in Columbus, Texas, on September 25, 1882, the first child of Mississippi natives Senie Needham and Thomas Jefferson Carlton. The family settled in the Pin Oak area of Milam County by 1880 and grew to include three more daughters and a son.
History
Wilson Van Dyke
(Dec. 25, 1817-Aug. 3, 1881) A native of South Carolina, Wilson Van Dyke served as a member of the Somervell Expedition, which was organized in 1842 to expel the Mexican Army from Texas. Under command of Col. W.S. Fisher, he crossed the Rio Grande and was captured. A survivor of the "Black Bean Episode", Van Dyke was imprisoned near Mexico City until Sept. 1844.
History
Woman's Study Club of Holland
On January 14, 1914, a small group of local women met to organize a study club for the cultural advancement of its members. In addition ot its primary focus, the club soon adopted a series of civic projects, including many that offered financial support for public school programs, that had a dramatic impact on the development of the community.
History
Woman's Wednesday Club
What began in 1902 as an idea to organize a women's club with a focus on literature and history became a reality in April 1903, with formation of Woman's Study Club. Chartered with nineteen members under the leadership of Mrs. Vena (Holzgraf) Hightower, the Woman's Wednesday Club of Bartlett was federated with the state organization in 1903.
Civic & Local
Woman's Wednesday Club of Belton
Founded in 1898 as a literary society with twenty-five members, the Woman's Wednesday Club is the oldest active club of its kind in Bell County. Initially meeting in the Central Hotel in downtown Belton, the club members were devoted to the study of literature and history. Each member donated books to begin a library.
History
Youngsport
In January 1846, Francis L. Mudd received one-third of a league of land in this area along the Lampasas River. Four years later, the property became part of the newly created Bell County, carved out of Milam County.
Elsewhere in Texas
Hear it from the road
Whistlestop tells you this story automatically when you drive past. No searching, no tapping, nothing to ask.
