National Register Listing

Botts-Fowler House

115 N. Fourth Ave., Mansfield, TX

The Botts-Fowler House is a modest dwelling in Mansfield that was built by local contractor W.L. Graves about 1900. It is currently used as a house and restaurant by the Botts-Fowler family.

Named for its original and longest residents, the Botts-Fowler House in Mansfield was built in 1886 by local builder William Bratton and features a rear addition and spindlework detailing added by local contractor W.L. Graves about 1900. Bratton built the this modest dwelling on the outskirts of Mansfield's original town plat for A.J. Botts, one of Mansfield's early merchants. Botts ran a grocery store on Main Street and owned the house until 1895. The property had several locally notable occupants between 1895 and 1911, including Reverend Ernest Daniel Lisha Tims, Doctor James Truett Stephens, and prominent merchant and banker John Howard Wright. In 1911, Andrew M. Fowler, a prominent resident who improved and expanded Mansfield's water system in 1904, bought the house which the Fowler family occupied for several decades. This 1 -story, L-plan house features decorative shingles and a delicate spindlework frieze and balustrade on the front porch, thus typifying the type of modest residences built in Mansfield's during the tum of the century. For its direct associations with Mansfield's early development and growth patterns, the Botts-Fowler House meets Criterion A in the area of Community Planning and Development at the local level of significance.
Local significance of the building:
Community Planning And Development

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

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.

community planning and development architecture houses residential buildings
The Johnson Space Center, located in Houston, played a crucial role in the development of the U.S. space program. It was here that NASA trained its astronauts and mission control teams, and it continues to be an important center for space research and exploration today.
Texas random facts
Tarrant County, Texas, has a significant place in the history of the Lone Star State. The area was initially inhabited by indigenous tribes before European exploration and settlement. In the mid-19th century, the region became part of the Republic of Texas after gaining independence from Mexico.

Tarrant County was established in 1849 and named after Edward H. Tarrant, a military leader during the Texas Revolution. The county experienced significant growth and development throughout the 19th century, fueled by factors such as the expansion of railroads, cattle ranching, and the discovery of oil.

During the 20th century, Tarrant County continued to flourish and adapt to changing times. It became an important hub for transportation, commerce, and industry. The county's largest city, Fort Worth, emerged as a major center for cattle trading and eventually diversified into a vibrant economic and cultural hub.

Today, Tarrant County is one of the most populous counties in Texas, encompassing Fort Worth and several other cities and communities. It boasts a diverse economy, encompassing sectors such as aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. Tarrant County is also home to renowned educational institutions, cultural attractions, and recreational opportunities, making it a dynamic and thriving region within the state.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Tarrant County, Texas.

  • Pre-19th Century: The area was inhabited by indigenous tribes, including the Wichita and Comanche, before European settlement.

  • 1849: Tarrant County was officially established and named after Edward H. Tarrant, a military leader in the Republic of Texas.

  • 1850s: Fort Worth, the county seat, began as a military outpost on the Trinity River, providing protection for settlers and serving as a stop on the Chisholm Trail cattle drive route.

  • Late 19th Century: The arrival of the railroad in the 1870s spurred economic growth in Fort Worth and the county. The city became a center for the cattle industry, agriculture, and trade.

  • 20th Century: Tarrant County experienced significant urbanization and diversification. Fort Worth became a major hub for the oil and gas industry, aviation, and defense with the establishment of military bases.

  • Civil Rights Era: Tarrant County, like many regions in the United States, faced challenges and changes during the civil rights movement, with efforts to achieve racial equality and social progress.

  • Modern Times: Tarrant County continues to thrive as a major economic and cultural center in Texas. It is home to a diverse population and industries such as healthcare, finance, technology, and education.