Venable, W. J., House
a.k.a. #32
426 N. Wall, Belton, TXThe late 1870s Venable House is an example of a vernacular house type probably brought to Belton by settlers from the upland South. Contextually it relates to Community and Regional Development, specifically to the influx of settlers to Belton from other parts of the South in the decades following the Civil War. The property is eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion c, significant in the area of Architecture, as one of the few examples of this distinctive vernacular house type in Central Texas.
The Venable residence was built about 1879, probably for W. J. Venable. Venable sold the house to T. W. Cochran in 1892. Cochran was a prominent local merchant and partner in the Cochran, Blair, and Potts Department Store of Central Avenue. About 1900 he built an addition on the rear of the house in the same style.
The Venable House is an excellent example of a vernacular house type suggesting the Gothic Revival style that was apparently brought to Texas from the upland South. This multi-gabled form was popular in Kentucky and Tennessee around the time of the Civil War and it appears in regions of the north and east Texas in the 1870s, suggesting that it was perpetuated by immigrants to these areas from the southeastern states after the Civil War. The Augustus Koch bird's-eye-view map of 1881 shows five similar houses in Belton; this house is the only one that is now standing.
Local significance of the building:
The Venable residence was built about 1879, probably for W. J. Venable. Venable sold the house to T. W. Cochran in 1892. Cochran was a prominent local merchant and partner in the Cochran, Blair, and Potts Department Store of Central Avenue. About 1900 he built an addition on the rear of the house in the same style.
The Venable House is an excellent example of a vernacular house type suggesting the Gothic Revival style that was apparently brought to Texas from the upland South. This multi-gabled form was popular in Kentucky and Tennessee around the time of the Civil War and it appears in regions of the north and east Texas in the 1870s, suggesting that it was perpetuated by immigrants to these areas from the southeastern states after the Civil War. The Augustus Koch bird's-eye-view map of 1881 shows five similar houses in Belton; this house is the only one that is now standing.
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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Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.
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 concise overview of the key events in the history 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