Baggett, Silas and Ellen, House
a.k.a. #16
1018 N. Main St., Belton, TXThe Silas and Ellen Baggett House, together with the Ele Baggett House, illustrates the use of stock house plans and pattern books in the construction of ornate late-Victorian middle-class houses. The house was probably built in the early 1890s and is one of the best surviving examples of the Queen Anne style in Belton. Contextually the property relates to community and Regional Development, specifically to the growth and prosperity of Belton as a result of the cattle boom after the Civil War. The house is eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion c, significant in the area of Architecture, as one of the finest and most intact Queen Anne style houses in the city.
The Silas and Ellen Baggett House was built about 1890 for local cattle baron and businessman Silas Baggett and his wife. Baggett (1822-1897) arrived in Bell County before the Civil War and bought a large parcel of land near Howard, approximately five miles northwest of Temple. The ranch became a stopping point on the north-south stage route and the Chisholm trail which ran near the property. After the Civil War, Baggett and his two sons Ele and Monroe organized cattle drives to Kansas and Montana. With the profits earned from this and other ventures, Baggett built this large home. His son Ele built a house that is almost a mirror image of it across the street.
The Silas and Ellen Baggett House exemplifies the prosperity of Belton during the 1880s and 90s related to ranching and the display of wealth made by the cattle barons in the construction of their residences. It also illustrates the increased use of pattern books and marketed house plans as the basis for Queen Anne houses. The design of the two Baggett Houses suggests the work of George F. Barber and other architects selling plans at the time through published catalogs. Likely it is the work of a local builder who was familiar with such publications and probably borrowed floor plans and design motifs from them.
Local significance of the building:
The Silas and Ellen Baggett House was built about 1890 for local cattle baron and businessman Silas Baggett and his wife. Baggett (1822-1897) arrived in Bell County before the Civil War and bought a large parcel of land near Howard, approximately five miles northwest of Temple. The ranch became a stopping point on the north-south stage route and the Chisholm trail which ran near the property. After the Civil War, Baggett and his two sons Ele and Monroe organized cattle drives to Kansas and Montana. With the profits earned from this and other ventures, Baggett built this large home. His son Ele built a house that is almost a mirror image of it across the street.
The Silas and Ellen Baggett House exemplifies the prosperity of Belton during the 1880s and 90s related to ranching and the display of wealth made by the cattle barons in the construction of their residences. It also illustrates the increased use of pattern books and marketed house plans as the basis for Queen Anne houses. The design of the two Baggett Houses suggests the work of George F. Barber and other architects selling plans at the time through published catalogs. Likely it is the work of a local builder who was familiar with such publications and probably borrowed floor plans and design motifs from them.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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The world's first rodeo was held in Pecos, Texas in 1883. The event included bronco riding, calf roping, and bull riding.
About Bell County
Bell County Timeline
Bell County, located in central Texas, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Tonkawa, Lipan Apache, and Comanche. European settlers began arriving in the early 19th century, with the first permanent settlement established in 1850 by Thomas M. Bigham, who built a log cabin near the Lampasas River.
The county was officially established in 1850 and named after Governor Peter H. Bell. It quickly grew as more settlers arrived to take advantage of the fertile land and abundant natural resources. Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, became the primary industry in the region, with the first cotton gin built in 1853. The county also became an important shipping point due to its proximity to the Chisholm Trail, which was used to drive cattle to markets in the north.
During the Civil War, Bell County played a significant role in supporting the Confederate cause. Several Confederate camps were established in the area, and the county experienced some military action, including the Battle of Stampede Valley in 1863. After the war, the county began to recover and diversify its economy. The railroad arrived in the late 19th century, bringing further growth and development.
In the 20th century, Bell County continued to experience growth and modernization. Fort Hood, one of the largest military installations in the country, was established in 1942. The presence of the military base provided a significant economic boost to the county and continues to be a major employer and contributor to the local economy. Today, Bell County is a thriving community with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and military-related industries.
The county was officially established in 1850 and named after Governor Peter H. Bell. It quickly grew as more settlers arrived to take advantage of the fertile land and abundant natural resources. Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, became the primary industry in the region, with the first cotton gin built in 1853. The county also became an important shipping point due to its proximity to the Chisholm Trail, which was used to drive cattle to markets in the north.
During the Civil War, Bell County played a significant role in supporting the Confederate cause. Several Confederate camps were established in the area, and the county experienced some military action, including the Battle of Stampede Valley in 1863. After the war, the county began to recover and diversify its economy. The railroad arrived in the late 19th century, bringing further growth and development.
In the 20th century, Bell County continued to experience growth and modernization. Fort Hood, one of the largest military installations in the country, was established in 1942. The presence of the military base provided a significant economic boost to the county and continues to be a major employer and contributor to the local economy. Today, Bell County is a thriving community with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and military-related industries.
Bell County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Bell County, Texas.
- 1834 - Bell County is established by the Republic of Texas
- 1850 - The first permanent settlement, known as Nolanville, is established
- 1851 - A post office is established in the town of Belton
- 1852 - The county seat is moved from Nolanville to Belton
- 1858 - The Belton Female College is founded
- 1861-1865 - Bell County is heavily impacted by the American Civil War
- 1870 - The Houston and Texas Central Railway arrives in Bell County, boosting economic growth
- 1881 - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is founded in Belton
- 1892 - The town of Temple is established as a railroad town
- 1913 - The Santa Fe Railroad builds a major railroad station in Temple
- 1920s - Bell County experiences an oil boom
- 1957 - Construction begins on the Fort Hood military base
- 1980s - Bell County's economy diversifies with the growth of healthcare and technology industries
- 2005 - The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery is established in Killeen