Rose, Maj. A. J., House
Wm. Rose Way and Royal St., Salado, TXIn 1870 Major Archibald Johnson Rose moved to Bell County, Texas, and built his homestead on a farm near the town of Salado. The Rose house stands today relatively unchanged since its construction has been in continuous use through four succeeding generations of the Rose family until 1973. The house is a vernacular Greek Revival example with generous proportions and a fine two-story front portico. It is a good example of the simplification of detail that gives vernacular houses a certain vigor and charm. Instead of a classic order, well-executed and proportioned molding and square columns are employed.
The house achieves a certain dignity and elegance in its two-story portico with full-height columns The portico frames and shelters the entrance but does not extend the full length of the front of the house in a scheme that is more indebted to Palladian influences than Greek Revival. However, it is a form often used on the simple Greek Revival farm houses in Texas.
The man who built the house, Major A. J. Rose, was a colorful Texas pioneer. He was born in Caswell County, North Carolina in 1830 but grew up on the Missouri frontier. As a young man he made his way overland to California during the Gold Rush of 1849, Rose married Sallie A. Austin of Missouri. In 1857 he moved to Texas overland with a mule team, his wife, and two children and settled in San Saba County, an outpost of white settlement. During the Civil War, Rose served as an officer of the Confederate army on the Indian frontier, first as Lieutenant and later as Major. After the war Rose moved to Travis County and finally settled on his farm near Salado. Among Major Rose's achievements, he was a founder and Worthy Master of the State Grange, a Grand Master of the Masons, President of the Board of the State Agricultural and Mechanical College (Texas A & M University), and Commissioner of Agriculture, Insurance, Statistics and History for the State of Texas.
The subsequent owners of the house were Major Rose's direct descendants. His son, William Seymour Rose was an elected surveyor for Bell County. W. S. Rose, Jr. and W. S. Rose III resided on the property as farmers. The last two generations were especially concerned with maintaining and perpetuating the historical value of the house and property. Garland S. Anderson, the present owner, is a great-grandson of Major A. J. Rose. Mr. Anderson's paternal grandmother was reared in the house and he was a frequent visitor as a child. Mr. Anderson and his family plan to renovate the structures and surrounding eighteen acres.
Local significance of the building:
The house achieves a certain dignity and elegance in its two-story portico with full-height columns The portico frames and shelters the entrance but does not extend the full length of the front of the house in a scheme that is more indebted to Palladian influences than Greek Revival. However, it is a form often used on the simple Greek Revival farm houses in Texas.
The man who built the house, Major A. J. Rose, was a colorful Texas pioneer. He was born in Caswell County, North Carolina in 1830 but grew up on the Missouri frontier. As a young man he made his way overland to California during the Gold Rush of 1849, Rose married Sallie A. Austin of Missouri. In 1857 he moved to Texas overland with a mule team, his wife, and two children and settled in San Saba County, an outpost of white settlement. During the Civil War, Rose served as an officer of the Confederate army on the Indian frontier, first as Lieutenant and later as Major. After the war Rose moved to Travis County and finally settled on his farm near Salado. Among Major Rose's achievements, he was a founder and Worthy Master of the State Grange, a Grand Master of the Masons, President of the Board of the State Agricultural and Mechanical College (Texas A & M University), and Commissioner of Agriculture, Insurance, Statistics and History for the State of Texas.
The subsequent owners of the house were Major Rose's direct descendants. His son, William Seymour Rose was an elected surveyor for Bell County. W. S. Rose, Jr. and W. S. Rose III resided on the property as farmers. The last two generations were especially concerned with maintaining and perpetuating the historical value of the house and property. Garland S. Anderson, the present owner, is a great-grandson of Major A. J. Rose. Mr. Anderson's paternal grandmother was reared in the house and he was a frequent visitor as a child. Mr. Anderson and his family plan to renovate the structures and surrounding eighteen acres.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
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.
The Battle of San Jacinto fought on April 21, 1836, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, and led to the capture of Santa Anna and the end of the conflict.
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