Blake-Beaty-Orton House
a.k.a. Orton Home
206 S. Main St., Jasper, TXThe Blake-Beaty-Orton House is a Victorian house built in the latter part of the nineteenth century. It is an excellent example of the complex design of this period with contrasting shapes, textures, and solids, and voids and is notable for the daring portico design.
Claims have been made that the house was constructed as early as the 1860s but all records to substantiate such a claim were in the County Courthouse which burned in the middle 1880's. From an architectural history view, the house should be dated in the 1880s and it appears in photographic records and writing after T. J. Beaty had acquired the property in 1888. This would be consistent with similar Victorian house designs in Texas.
The Beaty family owned the property on which the house stands as early as 1843. After being owned briefly by Stephen Williams, grandson and namesake of a veteran of both the American Revolution and the Texas Revolution, the property was acquired by the G.W. Blake family. Mr. Blake was by profession a carpenter and cabinetmaker. His daughter claimed to have been born in the house in 1861 and Blake was a "trained artisan" with manually driven machines such as planes and lathes to duplicate such elaborate turnings. However, no record supports the claim.
G. W. Blake died in 1882 and later his widow sold the property to J. T. Beaty, son of the earlier Beaty, a prominent citizen of Jasper who studied law and became an attorney. He was elected Senator from the 14th District to the Texas Legislature from 1901 to 1906. The size and grandeur of the home lends itself to Mr. Beaty's advanced station and it is more likely the house was constructed after he acquired the property. Marguerite Beaty Orton, daughter of J.T. Beaty and the occupant of the house until 1973, has given the property to the city of Jasper, which plans to restore the structure. It is one of the last remaining 19th-century houses and the most impressive in Jasper.
Local significance of the building:
Claims have been made that the house was constructed as early as the 1860s but all records to substantiate such a claim were in the County Courthouse which burned in the middle 1880's. From an architectural history view, the house should be dated in the 1880s and it appears in photographic records and writing after T. J. Beaty had acquired the property in 1888. This would be consistent with similar Victorian house designs in Texas.
The Beaty family owned the property on which the house stands as early as 1843. After being owned briefly by Stephen Williams, grandson and namesake of a veteran of both the American Revolution and the Texas Revolution, the property was acquired by the G.W. Blake family. Mr. Blake was by profession a carpenter and cabinetmaker. His daughter claimed to have been born in the house in 1861 and Blake was a "trained artisan" with manually driven machines such as planes and lathes to duplicate such elaborate turnings. However, no record supports the claim.
G. W. Blake died in 1882 and later his widow sold the property to J. T. Beaty, son of the earlier Beaty, a prominent citizen of Jasper who studied law and became an attorney. He was elected Senator from the 14th District to the Texas Legislature from 1901 to 1906. The size and grandeur of the home lends itself to Mr. Beaty's advanced station and it is more likely the house was constructed after he acquired the property. Marguerite Beaty Orton, daughter of J.T. Beaty and the occupant of the house until 1973, has given the property to the city of Jasper, which plans to restore the structure. It is one of the last remaining 19th-century houses and the most impressive in Jasper.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
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.
Loading...
Texas is also home to the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. The venue covers three acres and can hold up to 6,000 people.
About Jasper County
Jasper County Timeline
Jasper County, Texas has a rich history dating back many centuries. The land where Jasper County now stands was initially inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Atakapan and Alabama-Coushatta peoples. European settlers began to arrive in the area in the early 19th century, primarily from other parts of the southern United States.
Jasper County was officially established on February 1, 1836, just weeks before the independence of Texas from Mexico. The county was named after William Jasper, a hero from the American Revolutionary War. In the early days of the county, logging and farming were the primary economic activities. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century further contributed to the growth and development of Jasper County.
The county experienced significant changes during the 20th century. The discovery of oil in the East Texas Oil Field in the early 1930s brought an economic boom to Jasper County, leading to increased population and infrastructure development. However, the area also faced challenges, including racial tension and civil rights struggles during the mid-20th century.
Today, Jasper County continues to thrive, with a diverse economy including oil and gas, timber, agriculture, and tourism. The county is known for its natural beauty, including the scenic Angelina National Forest and the serene waters of the Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Jasper, the county seat, serves as a hub for commerce and government activities. The history and heritage of Jasper County are celebrated through various cultural events and museums, ensuring that its past remains an integral part of its present and future.
Jasper County was officially established on February 1, 1836, just weeks before the independence of Texas from Mexico. The county was named after William Jasper, a hero from the American Revolutionary War. In the early days of the county, logging and farming were the primary economic activities. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century further contributed to the growth and development of Jasper County.
The county experienced significant changes during the 20th century. The discovery of oil in the East Texas Oil Field in the early 1930s brought an economic boom to Jasper County, leading to increased population and infrastructure development. However, the area also faced challenges, including racial tension and civil rights struggles during the mid-20th century.
Today, Jasper County continues to thrive, with a diverse economy including oil and gas, timber, agriculture, and tourism. The county is known for its natural beauty, including the scenic Angelina National Forest and the serene waters of the Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Jasper, the county seat, serves as a hub for commerce and government activities. The history and heritage of Jasper County are celebrated through various cultural events and museums, ensuring that its past remains an integral part of its present and future.
Jasper County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Jasper County, Texas.
- 1835 - Jasper County is established on February 1st.
- 1846 - The county seat is moved from Bevilport to Jasper.
- 1861-1865 - Jasper County residents participate in the American Civil War.
- 1881 - The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway is built through Jasper County.
- 1901 - The Spindletop oil strike near Beaumont triggers an oil boom in the area, benefiting Jasper County.
- 1950s-1970s - The construction of Sam Rayburn Reservoir boosts the county's economy and recreational opportunities.
- 1996 - Jasper County experiences racial tension and protests following the murder of James Byrd Jr.