National Register Listing

Rose Hill

100 Woodworth Blvd., Port Arthur, TX

<p>Rose Hill Manor, built as a residence for Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Woodworth by J. H. Baxter, dates back to one of the earliest periods in the history of the city of Port Arthur. An outstanding example of the late 19th century Greek Classical Revival Style in Texas, it is one of the oldest and best preserved homes built after the town of Port Arthur was incorporated as a city in 1898. The former Woodworth residence, with its well-executed Greek architectural details and grandiose scale, reminds one of the early affluent class with their political and social functions. Construction of the house was undertaken at a time when the owner and his wife had achieved a strong position of political leadership and social standing in the early community. Through their efforts, Rose Hill has more recently served as a unique community center for various cultural and political organizations in the city. The estate grounds were named Rose Hill Park and des- ignated in Mrs. Woodworth's will for use by the youth of the community.</p><p>Since there were no building permits issued in the early days of Port Arthur, the date of construction can only be approximated to 1905-6. The location of the Woodworth home was listed in the 1906 directory as northeast of the city and out- side the city limits. One of the earliest maps of Port Arthur, dated 1898, limits the boundary of the city to Van der Voort Avenue, which formed the southern border of the Woodworth estate (this name was changed to Woodworth Av. in 1924).</p><p>J. H. Baxter, the architect and builder of Rose Hill, erected several of the earliest businesses and homes in the Classical Greek tradition. He came to Port Arthur from Missouri in 1896 to establish a lumber business, originally located on the corner of Fifth St. and Houston Av. The well-preserved home of C. F. Seafer, a pioneer Port Arthur physician, was constructed by him in 1905. Contemporary with Rose Hill, this house exhibits identical classical features and details, but there are structural differences which suggest that Baxter was experimenting with this form. In addition to his classical domestic structures in Port Arthur, Baxter built the first bridge across the Orange-Beaumont Canal in 1908. He also commis- sioned work for a system of concrete sidewalks in the city, including the one in front of Rose Hill.</p><p>The organization and construction of deep-water ports on the Sabine-Neches waterway led to the foundation of the city of Port Arthur by Arthur E. Stilwell, a New York financier for whom it was named. The Port Arthur Townsite Co. was organ- ized in Kansas City for the purpose of promoting the development of Mr. Stilwell's</p><p>Gulf Port terminus, and purchasing land for the town and port. Rhome H. Woodworth was a native of Iowa who came to Port Arthur in 1898 as a represent- ative of the Port Arthur Townsite Co. He was sent by them to purchase land which was usually acquired from private owners, railroad companies, and a number of land grants, such as the Horatio M. Hanks (a Mexican land grant), and the Republic of Texas land grant. The 11.91 acres of land on which Rose Hill was later built was bought by Rhome Woodworth from tract one of Horatio M. Hank's survey (there were no lots or block numbers).</p><p>In 1898, prior to the completion of Rose Hill, Mr. R.H. Woodworth and his bride from Englewood, Ill., built and resided in a wooden one-story frame house on Nashvill Av. Rhome Woodworth's experience with purchasing land for the Port Arthur Townsite Co. enabled him to become a prosperous landowner and independent real estate dealer. As early as 1900 he was associated with the First National Bank in Port Arthur and became its second president in 1909. His wife Mary, a stockholder and director of the bank, was also actively involved.</p><p>Although he was always politically active in the affairs of the city, Mr. Woodworth's official political career began in 1902 when he was elected the city's third mayor. He served additional terms when he was re-elected to the office in 1903 and 1904. As a concerned citizen and political figure, Woodworth devoted his time and energy to improving the early community of Port Arthur. Through his efforts the city was provided with a water works system, electric Co., ice and storage plants, and additional local docks. Mr. Woodworth continued to be social- ly and politically active until his death in 1923.</p><p>Mrs. Mary Woodworth, who continued to live at Rose Hill until her death in 1946, specified in her will that the estate was to be donated to the city of Port Arthur, although it was to be her daughter Phebe's home during her lifetime. Mrs. Woodworth was long associated with the Department Club, and designated that this organization, an affiliate of the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs, should be responsible for the care and general maintenance of the premises. Phebe Wood- Woodworth deeded the house and the estate to the city of Port Arthur a year after her mother's death in 1946. Phebe continued to live in Houston until her death in 1977.</p><p>The preservation of Rose Hill is currently under the direction of the Port Arthur Department Club and the Port Arthur Historical Society. These organiza- tions are making every effort to restore the home's appearance to its original state. It was Mrs. Woodworth's wish that her home be known as "Rose Hill", named for the many roses grown on the estate. The interior of the house was furnished with numerous paintings of roses, china with rose designs, and valu- able antique furniture.</p><p>Rose Hill Manor and estate has filled a very vital role in the community as a center for social, political, and recreational functions. Five resident organizations regularly use Rose Hill and its facilities, which are available to the public for a nominal fee. The old estate, which consists of 11.91 acres and borders on the Sabine-Neches Canal, is now Rose Hill Park. It is one of the city's most beautiful recreational centers with its lighted tennis courts, playground equipment, and Little League Baseball diamonds.</p>

Local significance of the building:
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.