| | Thistle Hill Historic House Museum | Hits 9 | | | | |
| | | | Site Information | | | Restored and furnished 1903 cattle baron's mansion-Fort Worth, Texas. One of the few remaining examples of Georgian Revival architecture.
| It is said that W.T. Waggoner, one of the wealthiest of the Fort Worth Cattle Barons, paid $38,000 for the construction of an 11,000 square foot "honeymoon cottage" to keep his only daughter, Electra, from moving to Philadelphia.
In 1901, Electra had met Albert Buckman Wharton, a prominent Philadelphian, while touring the Himalayas. They were married in 1902 at her family home in Decatur, Texas-El Castile.
Completed in 1904, Thistle Hill graced the crest of Summit Avenue in the fashionable residential district known as Quality Hill and quickly gained a reputation for opulence and lavish entertainment.
Albert owned and managed the first Fort Worth Auto and Livery Stable and dealt in Winston and Franklin cars.
Electra Waggoner
Thistle Hill was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Scott in 1911, longtime acquaintances of Electra's parents. Mr. Scott, a successful cattleman and prominent Ft. Worth businessman, embarked on an extensive remodeling of the mansion, converting it from Colonial to Georgian Revival.
Sadly, Mr. Scott died in 1911 and Elizabeth Scott and their son, Winfield Jr. moved into the mansion in 1912. During her 26 year residency, Elizabeth expanded the gardens and added a tea house and pergola to the grounds. She was known as an elegant hostess and her dinner parties were very formal affairs.
After his mother's death in 1938, Winfield, Jr. sold the mansion to the Girls Service League. The League, founded in 1917, is still in operation today and is dedicated to the assistance of young women. In 1968, the League put the mansion up for sale.
In 1974, after watching many of the mansions on Quality Hill abolished to make room for " progress", a group of concerned citizens formed a committee called "Save the Scott Home" and embarked on an all-out fund raising project. After several failed attempts, they finally succeeded in purchasing Thistle Hill in 1976 for $240,000.
Winfield Scott Jr.
Now a non-profit organization renamed Texas Heritage, Inc., this organization is responsible for the operation and on-going restoration of this living museum. Their goal is to restore the mansion and grounds to the grandeur of the first two decades of this century. Come and see history in the making!
CONTRIBUTE TO THE LIVING HISTORY THAT IS THISTLE HILL.
In celebration of our 100th Birthday, we are compiling an anthology of stories about this beautiful home. So, if you lived here, visited in the distance past, recently came on a tour or attended a special event, please send an e-mail to Director@ThistleHill.org. Or mail a letter to the Executive Director, 1509 Pennsylvania Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76104. Many of these stories will be posted to this website, so include the year of the event and where you traveled from to attend. Future generations will thank you!
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| | | Contact Information | | | Thistle Hill Historic House Museum 1509 Pennsylvania Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76104, Tel: (817) 336-1212 http://www.ThistleHill.org E-mail Thistle Hill Historic House Museum | | | | If you're the owner or webmaster of this site then please Claim this Link Once you claim this link and we approve it you will be the only one who can modify the listing in the future. |
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| | Date Added: Tue Sep 13 2005 | | Last Updated: Tue Sep 13 2005 | | | | |
