National Register Listing

Wharton-Scott House

1509 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Worth, TX

The Waggoner-Wharton-Scott House, located at the end of Summit Avenue at its intersection with Pennsylvania Avenue, is significant as an outstanding example of the Georgian Revival style as it was interpreted in the Southwest by the firm of Sanguinet and Staats. Built for the soon-to-be-married Electra Waggoner, daughter of the prominent Texas cattle baron W. T. Waggoner, the mansion exemplifies the fine Georgian detailing and craftsmanship that was characteristic of the houses along the East Coast of the same period. Upon completion in 1906, the house proved successful in fulfilling the expectations of its builder. There are 18 spacious rooms, each designed with the intention of accommodating the lavish parties of its owners. Ironically, however, the rooms were never used as they had been intended. After the marriage of Electra Waggoner to A. B. Wharton in 1906, the newlyweds lived in the house at the end of Summit Avenue only a short while. The property was purchased by Winfield Scott on March 1, 1911, for ninety thousand dollars. Mr. Scott and his wife, the former Elizabeth Simmons, spent the next few months traveling throughout Europe, searching out the furnishings for their palatial home. After the expenditure of another $100,000., the mansion was ready to be inhabited. But Mr. Scott died on October 27, 1911, and his wife moved into the house alone, except for her young son, Winfield Scott, Jr. The demise of the social life at 1509 Pennsylvania Avenue can be attributed to the death of Winfield Scott, probably the wealthiest and most colorful figure in Fort Worth's "Quality Hill" society of 1911. The famous cattle baron-land speculator had built an incredible empire throughout Texas and the Southwest at the time of his death. By early 1909, Winfield Scott owned "business houses in practically every block (of downtown Fort Worth) from the court house to the Texas & Pacific passenger station. " Most famous of the buildings he commissioned Sanguinet and Staats to design is the Flatiron Building, built in 1908 and copied after its namesake in New York City. The Scotts lived in three other palatial houses in Fort Worth before moving to the house on Pennsylvania Avenue. Mrs. Scott was one of the city's leading hostesses, and her parties were legendary. However, such social extravaganza was not befitting the widow of a prominent man; and therefore life in the great house was quiet and dignified. The grounds of the estate were meticulously maintained, thereby receiving the "Yard Beautiful" award on many occasions. Upon the death of Mrs. Scott in 1938, the whole of the estate was left to Winfield Scott, Jr. He in turn sold the property to the Girls Service League in the same year for $17,500. From 1938 through the late 1960's, the estate was used as a boarding house for homeless girls. Because there had been little money for alterations, the mansion has remained virtually intact. However, the grounds have not been maintained and such picturesque amenities as the ivy-covered cistern and rose arbor have disappeared. Since the late 1960's, the house has been left vacant and unattended. The property has been rezoned "Commercial High-rise" and is presently for sale. Due to the zoning status, preservationists in Fort Worth have organized a committee entitled "Save the Scott House!" for the purpose of raising the $375,000.00 to purchase the property. The group has already been promised many of the original artifacts to display in the restored mansion in hopes of soliciting the interest of other citizens.

Local significance of the building:
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.