Harris, Capt. Andrew Jackson, House
a.k.a. #3
1001 W. Tenth St., Belton, TXThe Harris House, built around 1870, is one of the premier examples of the large dwellings built in Belton after the Civil War. Architecturally, the house is a hybrid; based on an established vernacular form, it originally reflected the late Greek Revival style but had an exuberant, Queen Anne gallery added which transforms the character of the facade. Contextually, the house is related to the Community and Regional Development in Texas, specifically to the early development of Belton during the years of the cattle boom following the Civil War. The house meets National Register Criterion c, significant in the area of architecture as an early example of vernacular construction with later stylistic applications.
The Harris House was built by Captain Andrew Jackson Harris (1839-1910). Born and educated in Mississippi, Harris served in the Mississippi Cavalry during the Civil War. After the war he married and moved to Texas, settling in Salado where he taught for a time
Around 1870 he moved to Belton and built this house on a large lot at what was at the time an undeveloped section on the outskirts of the city. Harris had a law practice in Belton and served for a time as Bell County Superintendent of Schools. In the late 1880s, he played an important role in the effort to convince Baylor College officials to relocate the Women's branch to Belton from Independence; later he served as the school's legal advisor and a member of its Board of Trustees.
Constructed in the early 1870s, the house reflects the Greek Revival form that was dominant in Harris' former town, Salado. It also shows the late-century evolution toward an ornate architectural aesthetic, as evidenced by the jigsawn trim on the gallery. It was a fairly common practice in the Victorian era to update a Greek Revival house with such a treatment. The Harris House is one of the few surviving structures in Belton from the early post-Civil War era and is a wonderful example of the building patterns of the town's early prominent citizens.
Local significance of the building:
The Harris House was built by Captain Andrew Jackson Harris (1839-1910). Born and educated in Mississippi, Harris served in the Mississippi Cavalry during the Civil War. After the war he married and moved to Texas, settling in Salado where he taught for a time
Around 1870 he moved to Belton and built this house on a large lot at what was at the time an undeveloped section on the outskirts of the city. Harris had a law practice in Belton and served for a time as Bell County Superintendent of Schools. In the late 1880s, he played an important role in the effort to convince Baylor College officials to relocate the Women's branch to Belton from Independence; later he served as the school's legal advisor and a member of its Board of Trustees.
Constructed in the early 1870s, the house reflects the Greek Revival form that was dominant in Harris' former town, Salado. It also shows the late-century evolution toward an ornate architectural aesthetic, as evidenced by the jigsawn trim on the gallery. It was a fairly common practice in the Victorian era to update a Greek Revival house with such a treatment. The Harris House is one of the few surviving structures in Belton from the early post-Civil War era and is a wonderful example of the building patterns of the town's early prominent citizens.
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