[301 S. Magnolia - Bowers Mansion]

Description

Photograph of the front of the "Bowers Mansion" located at 301 S. Magnolia in Palestine, Texas. It is a two-story white house with blue trim that has Victorian Italiante-style architectural elements (including a small cupola with bracketed eaves and narrow, paired windows), and a two-tiered porch with Queen Anne-style turned- and jigsawn- wood trim. Part of the yard is also visible, including a gazebo near the back of the house and a fountain in the front of the yard.

Physical Description

1 photograph : positive, col. ; 35 mm.

Creation Information

McReynolds, Oliver February 1992.

Context

This photograph is part of the collection entitled: Rescuing Texas History, 2007 and was provided by the Palestine Public Library to The Portal to Texas History, a digital repository hosted by the UNT Libraries. It has been viewed 193 times, with 10 in the last month. More information about this photograph can be viewed below.

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Palestine Public Library

Located in Anderson County, the Palestine Public Library provides access to information and various programs for the community's benefit. They received a Rescuing Texas History grant to aid in digitization of select materials, including photos taken during a Historic Resources Study in 1991.

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Description

Photograph of the front of the "Bowers Mansion" located at 301 S. Magnolia in Palestine, Texas. It is a two-story white house with blue trim that has Victorian Italiante-style architectural elements (including a small cupola with bracketed eaves and narrow, paired windows), and a two-tiered porch with Queen Anne-style turned- and jigsawn- wood trim. Part of the yard is also visible, including a gazebo near the back of the house and a fountain in the front of the yard.

Physical Description

1 photograph : positive, col. ; 35 mm.

Notes

This house, more commonly known nowadays as the Bowers Mansion, is one of the most outstanding domestic buildings in Palestine. The oldest parts of the house date back to 1878 and display Victorian Italianate elements. The small cupola with its bracketed eaves and narrow, paired windows is indicative of the style. In 1894 major modifications were completed, giving the house a more Queen Anne style architectural character. The 2-tiered porch with its turned- and jigsawn- wood trim are noteworthy features. Since the 1894 renovations, the house has remained virtually unaltered and retains its integrity to a remarkable degree. Palestine merchant and Prussian-native Henry Ash and his wife Amelia Emilie Ash built this house in 1878 and resided here until 1884, when the property was purchased by Andrew L. and Nellie O’Connell Bowers. Around 1886 the Bowers hired local architect-builder Walter W. Wainwright to add the cupola, gazebo, and circular galleries; later, in 1897, St. Louis architect Charles Dunbar designed more renovations, including the addition of an ornate staircase with stained glass. A North Carolina native, Andrew L. Bowers (1852-1926) was an official of the I&GN Railroad, president of the Palestine Salt & Coal Company, and president of several banks, including the Palestine Bank. He served as mayor of Palestine for four terms (over 20 years), overseeing the paving of streets and the erection of the city’s first public school buildings, fire station, and city hall. The Bowers family owned the property for 72 years, until 1955. The house was restored in 1970 by Carl Avera but has since been sold. It now operates as a bed and breakfast.

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This photograph is part of the following collection of related materials.

Rescuing Texas History, 2007

The 2007 edition of Rescuing Texas History brings together photographs, postcards, letters, and more to give a glimpse into the rich history of the state.

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Creation Date

  • February 1992

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Added to The Portal to Texas History

  • June 26, 2007, 2:38 p.m.

Description Last Updated

  • March 6, 2017, 6:40 p.m.

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Yesterday: 1
Past 30 days: 10
Total Uses: 193
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  • 31.759856, -95.63266

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McReynolds, Oliver. [301 S. Magnolia - Bowers Mansion], photograph, February 1992; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth26389/: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Palestine Public Library.

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