Three Girls One Dress Wichita County Weddings
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Diamond & Denim Progressive Diner
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Mother Daughter Tea
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Free Mother's Day Tours
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Preservation Awards & Volunteer Recognition
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Carnival On The Green
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Join In Our Fun!
As membership renewals arrive, we are pleased to note a large number of people have indicated that they are either interested in joining a committee (task force) or helping with an event. Even better, we noticed that most of these members will be new additions to our task forces and standing committees! We always like to make new friends!
Depot Square Heritage Party
Historic Home Tour
Preservation
Membership
Planning & Development
New Projects
Kell House Museum
Docent / Hostess
Exhibits
Santa House
July 4th Celebration
Preservation
If you would like to participate in the planning of an event, or volunteer to help with a certain event, give us a call at 723-0623. Of course, each individual may decide the level at which they will participate.
Special Recognition
I would like to thank a few businesses and individuals who have made special donations to the Wichita County Heritage Society over the past several months.
City Concrete, Amsco Steel, Builders Wholesale, Honkomp Welder, Scales Concrete and Longhorn Disability. These businesses were instrumental in the completion of the ramp for the Kell House Museum
Harry and Brenda Patterson
Mrs. Elizabeth Hawley
Sponsorship Historic Homes Tour Party
Boley Featherston Insurance Company
Underwriter Diamond & Denim Dinner
Exclusive Wedding by Spring Branch
Underwriter Spring Exhibit
Tea in the Garden
Since the earliest days of European contact, tea has been a staple in America and American history. And while for a time, after the Boston Tea Party at the beginnings of the American Revolution, coffee was the only drink accepted by any good patriot, the drinking of tea has seen a comeback in the intervening years. Today, tea is medicine for the body and soul, offering a warm, relaxing way to begin or end a day, or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
For the past two years, the Kell House has celebrated the refreshing qualities of this versatile drink with tea in the Kell House gardens. This Mothers Day weekend, you are invited to join us for our 3rd Annual Mother/Daughter Garden Tea on Saturday, May 9th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.!
Traditional tea tidbits will be served on buffet, as local celebrities refill cups and glasses with both hot and cold tea. The menu will once again consist of a variety of finger sandwiches, fruits, and bite-sized sweets, as well as the traditional scones served with lemon curd, Devonshire cream, and jam.
Soft music will fill the air as guests enjoy their afternoon repast, and the Museum will be open for visitors to stroll through the history of Three Girls, One Dress: Wichita County Weddings. And the always popular hat competition continues with prizes awarded in four categories: Most Vintage, Most Humorous, Most Unforgettable, and the Children’s Most Unique.
Tickets for this year’s tea are limited and still only $20 for adults and $10 for children. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact the Kell House at (940) 723-2712 or KellHouse@sbcglobal.net.
Wichita Falls’
First Post Office Building
Research by Leon Mueller
Compilation by Lita Watson
The lot at 801-03 Ohio first housed the Souter Opera House as the inhabitants of the new town on the Texas prairie sought culture. With the demise of the opera, the broom factory moved in. A fire destroyed that business in the spring of 1907. Owners then rebuilt the factory two blocks away with better access to the railroad.1
By1908 a new building stood at the corner of Eighth and Ohio and housed the post office.2 In December of that year, the Federal government purchased land at Ninth and Ohio to build a new post office.3
A search of Worley City Directories shows the Post Office at that location from 1909 to 1913. In 1914, the building is referred to as Old Post Office and is occupied for the next ten years by The Globe, “Men’s Furnishings, Hats, Shoes”. In 1925, United Cigar Stores Co #1591 is listed at 801-03 and remains there until 1930 at which time the lower floors remain vacant until 1934 when Magnolia Petroleum Co Station occupies the spot for two years, then in 1937 the name changes to Weldon W. Porter Filling Station. In 1940: Otis C. Hickey Filling Station, in 1941, Tillman’s Filling Station.
The purpose of the Wichita County Heritage Society is to further the educational and cultural development of the community by encouraging and promoting the preservation, restoration, and display of historic landmarks, natural beauty, and other objects distinctive of Wichita County.
The Holt restoration was a 6.2 million dollar project that has been a source of community pride and economic development for our city and a shining example of the generosity of our friends.
While the Heritage Society is known locally for their unique crown jewel the Kell House, the organization has also received statewide, local, and national recognition for the recent restoration of Wichita Falls' downtown Holt Hotel. Newly completed and boasting occupancy over 100%, the impressive high-rise living facility offers a unique blend of old architecture and flooring with new kitchens and baths. A recent tour of a fifth floor apartment presented accommodations comparable to big city living, fashionable yet functional. Open windows covered by pull-down shades gave birds eye views toward a southeasterly direction. Recent additions of the building entry canopies, as well as the iron fenced covered parking area, have set a high standard for downtown living.
Thanks to the generous outpouring of support, this vision for historic restoration has become a reality. The Holt features 41 luxury apartments in the Historic District of Downtown Wichita Falls.
For information about leasing an apartment call the office at(940) 855-9007
The Kell House Museum
The Kell House is one of the most historically and architecturally significant building in Wichita Falls. Built in 1909 by pioneer Frank Kell, this neo-classical style home features distinctive architecture, original family furnishings, textiles, decorative arts, and historic costumes. Guided tours of this local, state, and national landmark provide a fascinating history of this area's early settlement and of the Kell family.
Current Events:
Progressing through the Century:
Kell House Museum’s
Diamonds and Denim Progressive Dinner
Traditional anniversary customs don’t provide for an appropriate gift or stone for the 100th. However, modern etiquette suggests a ten-carat diamond to celebrate a century. Taking this to heart, the Kell House is celebrating the old with a new twist at our Diamonds and Denim Progressive Dinner from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 2nd, generously sponsored by Boley Featherson Insurance.
Let our trolley take you back in time as we explore the history of Fillmore Hill as we enjoy a three course meal. Appetizers will be served in 1925, at the Kell-Cahoon home. Built by Frank Kell for his second-youngest daughter, Sibyl, the residence now belongs to Lyn and Vernetha Vaden. The home is now a beautiful juxtaposition of African and American culture, featuring the Vaden’s collection of amazing African art and global antiques set against the backdrop of a wonderfully preserved roaring 20’s American home.
We’ll progress a few years for dinner in 1928, at the beautiful Broady home. Our hosts, current owners James and Jerrie Moore, will welcome us with a pig roast and all the trimmings on their beautifully manicured lawn and outdoor dining area. Live music will fill the air as a light accompaniment for our meal. After dinner, take time to stroll through the wonderfully restored 81-year-old home.
Our final stop will take us back a century to 1909 and
another house celebrating its 100th birthday, the Fonville-Clark home. Only the third owners of this gorgeous centennial home, Charles and Karen Olson have done a remarkable job preserving the architecture and history while bringing in a continental air with their art from Europe and around the world. Enjoy a rare viewing of their art collection before sampling a few tasty treats.We will hate to re-board our trolley and return to the hustle and bustle of 2009, but return we must. Our time-travelling trolley will return us back to our cars at the end of the evening, where we will part and go our separate ways…at least until our next Kell House 100th Event!
Tickets for the Diamonds and Denim Progressive Dinner are only $60 for WCHS members and $75 for non-members, and advance reservations are required. No parking is available at any of our evening’s homes. Instead, guests should park in the Floral Heights Methodist Church parking lot, where trolleys will be on hand to transport them to each of the historic homes. Dress for the party is casual, and walking shoes are encouraged as guest will spend as much time indoors as out. For more information, or to make your reservations, please contact the Kell House Museum at 723-2712 or the Heritage Society at 723-0623.
In 1924, A&A Taxi is listed there until 1954 when listings cease until 1975. Also associated with the taxi company through the years are Safeway Cab, City Cab, Yellow Cab and Checker Cab call stands.
In 1975, Gene’s Pain and Body Shop is listed until 1982 when listings cease. The building has been used for storage in recent years.
Prior to 1920, rooms were listed with numbers. Apparently, these served as offices. In 1920, the Maryland Hotel is listed at 801½, apparently the upstairs portion. That listing remains until 1942 when it becomes Plaza Hotel and remains so until 1957. Interesting Note: Rilla Watson, Rilla Marchese, and Rilla Dixon is the manager from 1937 to 1963. In 1957, the name is Dixon Hotel, then it changes to Swan Hotel and remains so until 1974 when it becomes the Jackson Hotel in 1975 and 1976 and then listings cease.
1Wichita Daily Times, June 6, 1907; March 8j, 1936, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map 1898
2Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, July 1908
3Wichita Daily Times, May 12, 1957
Leave a Legacy Texoma Planned Giving – Consider a bequest for the Heritage Society You can discuss this with your estate planner, or call us. We will be happy to talk with you.
