Lee, Walter J., House
a.k.a. #12
804 N. College St., Belton, TXThe Lee House is a good example of the dwarf hybrid of a foursquare house sometimes known as a "pyramid house" for its prominent hipped roof. Contextually, the house is related to community and Regional Development in Belton, specifically to the growth of Belton during the cotton boom years at the beginning of the century. The house is eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion c, significant in the area of Architecture, as an intact example of this early-century house type particularly common to Belton.
The Lee House was built in 1904 by local contractors Ben D. Lee and his son Walter J. Lee. Ben D. Lee was the contractor for the Curtis House, one of the most exuberant examples of the mansions built at the turn of the century by the town's cotton barons. It is interesting that when these contractors built a house for themselves it followed a pattern book design that would have appeared quite modern at the time, yet they added the prominent finials in a touch of Queen Anne eclecticism quite inconsistent with the house's design. The 1 1/2-story foursquare plan, or pyramid house, was being used elsewhere in Belton at this time, as illustrated by the James A. Ferguson House (site #8) built by T. Hamp Birdwell in the same year. It is an example of the new architectural influences imported to Belton via pattern books around the turn of the century.
Local significance of the building:
The Lee House was built in 1904 by local contractors Ben D. Lee and his son Walter J. Lee. Ben D. Lee was the contractor for the Curtis House, one of the most exuberant examples of the mansions built at the turn of the century by the town's cotton barons. It is interesting that when these contractors built a house for themselves it followed a pattern book design that would have appeared quite modern at the time, yet they added the prominent finials in a touch of Queen Anne eclecticism quite inconsistent with the house's design. The 1 1/2-story foursquare plan, or pyramid house, was being used elsewhere in Belton at this time, as illustrated by the James A. Ferguson House (site #8) built by T. Hamp Birdwell in the same year. It is an example of the new architectural influences imported to Belton via pattern books around the turn of the century.
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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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 condensed summary of the historical journey 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