Richardson, Asher and Mary Isabelle, House
a.k.a. Bel-Asher;The Big House;La Casa Grande
US 83, Asherton, TXBuilt between 1909 and 1911, Bel-Asher was designed by San Antonio architect Alfred Giles for Asher Richardson's 10-acre site in the center of Asherton, Texas. Named for Richardson and his wife Belle, the house is an important example of the residential projects Giles designed after 1900. The balance of horizontal and vertical massing results in an unusual combination of the stylistic vocabularies of Beaux Arts Classicism and the Prairie School. Richardson envisioned Bel-Asher as the centerpiece of the town he created in the midst of his ranch holdings in Dimmit County. As part of an unsuccessful campaign to move the county seat to Asherton, Richardson chartered the Asherton and Gulf Railway in 1909. Although his grander efforts remained unrealized, Richardson continued to entertain the elite of Dimmit County at Bel-Asher, making it the focal point of social life in the area.
Asher Richardson was born on 21 September 1855 near Snow Hill, Maryland. Discharged from the United States Army in 1877 at Ringgold Barracks, Texas, he settled at San Pedro Creek in Dimmit County, where the Census of 1880 lists him as a wool grower. On 30 June 1881, Richardson married Mary Isabelle Votaw, the daughter of prominent stockman William Votaw.
Richardson worked on Votaw's 15,000-acre San Pedro Ranch during the 1880s and began to amass his own land holdings in the vicinity. He acquired several sections of surveyed School Lands from the State of Texas in 1886, purchased the El Moro Ranch at sheriff's sale in 1897, and bought the Oak Grove Ranch in 1903. In 1907, he finalized the purchase of the San Pedro Ranch from his father-in-law's estate, bringing his holdings to 240,000 acres of land utilized for farming and ranching. Richardson introduced many improvements to the area, including extensive use of wire fencing and the use of artesian wells to irrigate the arid region.
In platting Asherton, Richardson reserved Block 172 as the site of his residence in a deed filed on 12 February 1898. His confidence in the future of the new community is reflected in the language of the deed:
Richardson realized the importance of providing a rail connection for the new community and his farming and ranching holdings. A scheme to link Artesia Wells and Carrizo Springs by rail via Asherton failed in 1908, prompting him to charter the Asherton and Gulf Railway Company. In 1909, construction began on a 34-mile
Local significance of the building:
Asher Richardson was born on 21 September 1855 near Snow Hill, Maryland. Discharged from the United States Army in 1877 at Ringgold Barracks, Texas, he settled at San Pedro Creek in Dimmit County, where the Census of 1880 lists him as a wool grower. On 30 June 1881, Richardson married Mary Isabelle Votaw, the daughter of prominent stockman William Votaw.
Richardson worked on Votaw's 15,000-acre San Pedro Ranch during the 1880s and began to amass his own land holdings in the vicinity. He acquired several sections of surveyed School Lands from the State of Texas in 1886, purchased the El Moro Ranch at sheriff's sale in 1897, and bought the Oak Grove Ranch in 1903. In 1907, he finalized the purchase of the San Pedro Ranch from his father-in-law's estate, bringing his holdings to 240,000 acres of land utilized for farming and ranching. Richardson introduced many improvements to the area, including extensive use of wire fencing and the use of artesian wells to irrigate the arid region.
In platting Asherton, Richardson reserved Block 172 as the site of his residence in a deed filed on 12 February 1898. His confidence in the future of the new community is reflected in the language of the deed:
In dedicating this town site, Asher Richardson expressly reserves unto himself and his assigns the exclusive right to lay in the streets and alleys, water and gas mains, street car tracks, and to place telephone and electric lines therein and thereunder.
Richardson realized the importance of providing a rail connection for the new community and his farming and ranching holdings. A scheme to link Artesia Wells and Carrizo Springs by rail via Asherton failed in 1908, prompting him to charter the Asherton and Gulf Railway Company. In 1909, construction began on a 34-mile
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
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 discovery of oil in 1901 near Beaumont, Texas, sparked an oil boom that transformed the state's economy and led to the rise of the modern petroleum industry.
About Dimmit County
Dimmit County Timeline
Dimmit County, located in southwest Texas, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Coahuiltecans, before European settlement began in the 18th century. Spanish explorers and missionaries, such as Alonso de León and Fray Juan de Salas, were some of the first Europeans to arrive in the region.
In the early 19th century, as Texas gained its independence from Spain and Mexico, Dimmit County became a center for ranching and agriculture. As more settlers arrived, small towns such as Carrizo Springs and Asherton were established, fostering the growth of the local economy. The county's economy thrived on the cattle industry and the abundance of natural resources, such as oil and gas.
During the Mexican Revolution in the early 20th century, Dimmit County experienced significant turmoil due to its proximity to the Mexican border. Border conflicts and the presence of bandits posed a threat to the safety and stability of the region. However, with the establishment of the Texas Rangers and enhanced border security, Dimmit County gradually regained its peace.
Today, Dimmit County continues to be a thriving economic center, with the oil and gas industry playing a vital role in its development. The county is also home to a diverse population, with a mix of Mexican American, Anglo-American, and Native American residents, all contributing to its rich cultural heritage. Its picturesque landscapes, including the scenic Brush Country, make Dimmit County an attractive destination for tourists and nature lovers alike.
In the early 19th century, as Texas gained its independence from Spain and Mexico, Dimmit County became a center for ranching and agriculture. As more settlers arrived, small towns such as Carrizo Springs and Asherton were established, fostering the growth of the local economy. The county's economy thrived on the cattle industry and the abundance of natural resources, such as oil and gas.
During the Mexican Revolution in the early 20th century, Dimmit County experienced significant turmoil due to its proximity to the Mexican border. Border conflicts and the presence of bandits posed a threat to the safety and stability of the region. However, with the establishment of the Texas Rangers and enhanced border security, Dimmit County gradually regained its peace.
Today, Dimmit County continues to be a thriving economic center, with the oil and gas industry playing a vital role in its development. The county is also home to a diverse population, with a mix of Mexican American, Anglo-American, and Native American residents, all contributing to its rich cultural heritage. Its picturesque landscapes, including the scenic Brush Country, make Dimmit County an attractive destination for tourists and nature lovers alike.
Dimmit County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Dimmit County, Texas.
- 1858 - Dimmit County is established on February 1.
- 1876 - Carrizo Springs becomes the county seat.
- 1880 - The San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway reaches Carrizo Springs, boosting economic development.
- 1900 - The population of Dimmit County reaches 5,864.
- 1919 - Construction of Highway 57 begins, connecting Dimmit County to neighboring areas.
- 1930 - The population of Dimmit County peaks at 9,527.
- 1953 - Pico #1 oil well is drilled, leading to an oil boom in the area.
- 1994 - The Texas Water Development Board designates Dimmit County as part of the Middle Rio Grande Groundwater Conservation District.