McWhirter, George and Martha, House
a.k.a. #19
400 N. Pearl St., Belton, TXThe McWhirter House is an early Belton example of the Second Empire style and is associated with Martha McWhirter, founder of the Sanctificationists, a Belton communal religious sect of the late 19th century. The property is eligible for listing in the National Register for its significance in the area of Religion, and for its close association with McWhirter and the Sanctificationists. It is also eligible in the area of Architecture, for embodying the characteristics of the Second Empire style as used in domestic architecture.
The McWhirter House was built in the late 1860s or early 1870s for Major General George McWhirter and his wife Martha. The couple moved to Bell County around 1855 and settled near Armstrong Creek where they were instrumental in founding the Live Oak Methodist Church. They moved to Belton around the time of the Civil War. George McWhirter served as a major general in the Confederate Army. In the 1870s Martha McWhirter became the founder of a dissident religious sect known as the Sanctificationists (see Historic Context for further information) and the house served as a worship center and meeting place for members of the movement. Martha McWhirter sold the house in the 1890s and moved to Washington, D.C., with other members of the sect.
The house represents one of the best preserved early examples of the Second Empire style in Texas. The Second Empire style enjoyed a brief heyday in Texas during the 1870s and 1880s but examples from the period just after the Civil War are rare.
Local significance of the building:
The McWhirter House was built in the late 1860s or early 1870s for Major General George McWhirter and his wife Martha. The couple moved to Bell County around 1855 and settled near Armstrong Creek where they were instrumental in founding the Live Oak Methodist Church. They moved to Belton around the time of the Civil War. George McWhirter served as a major general in the Confederate Army. In the 1870s Martha McWhirter became the founder of a dissident religious sect known as the Sanctificationists (see Historic Context for further information) and the house served as a worship center and meeting place for members of the movement. Martha McWhirter sold the house in the 1890s and moved to Washington, D.C., with other members of the sect.
The house represents one of the best preserved early examples of the Second Empire style in Texas. The Second Empire style enjoyed a brief heyday in Texas during the 1870s and 1880s but examples from the period just after the Civil War are rare.
Architecture; Religion
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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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 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