Established in 1919

Mr. and Mrs. Watson enjoyed every part of the home and the grounds that surrounded it.

While the entertaining that occurred often with family gatherings and events were always grand and special, they often took time to just stop and   “ Smell the roses”.

Lelah (pictured) is enjoying a moment , while George looks to his new Grandson Morris Watson Frazar. Enjoying this beautiful spring day, Mr. Watson is looking tall and proud, as he was a tall man of six foot plus.

He would enjoy the company of his friends and family playing 42, a popular dominos game of the time. Also known as Texas 42, it is a trick-talking game played with a standard set of double-six dominoes. The rules are similar to the card game of Spades. Originally invented in Texas, it is often referred to as the "national game of Texas".

The house was built in 1919 and occupied in 1920. The 5,432 square foot house has the original slate roof and was originally on 7.5 acres on Palo Pinto Creek. The original cost, was $98,000.00 and that included all of the furnishings that came from Fakes Co., in Fort Worth.

On the left of the home was a beautiful sunroom, with floor to ceiling windows to allow cooling in the hot Texas summer months. This was a common feature throughout the home as it was built to capture the natural winds that occur in the area.

For the winter months, there are seven fireplaces throughout the home. There is also a basement that had two coal furnaces. It was one of the first homes to have forced air heat. The grand kitchen was one of the first with refrigeration units, it was a large closet off the kitchen which held 100 pounds of ice. The downstairs rooms also has these impressive 10 foot ceilings. All of which were hand done plaster with beautiful wall relief molding also in plaster.

In 1922, it was quite impressive to look out the south windows of the home and see the entire city of Strawn and the hills beyond.

We look forward to your stay.

Steven Cordrey

In 1922 Mrs. Cleo Rice took her third grade class to the Watson home and let the children individually listen to the phenomena that was radio. This was another example or Aunt Lelah’s generosity in sharing. Imagine having 30 or more eight year olds at one time in your living room.

Also Mrs. Watson had a Victrola in the living room. It sat against the north wall. J.W. (Buster) Watson, as a young man entertained the family by playing all of the popular music of that day.

Aunt Lelah had a Cadillac touring car with a jump seat that folded into the front seat. At least 5 people could sit in the back of the car. What fun it was to ride in the jump seat. One time there was a trip to Fort Worth (before the roads were paved). Charles Watson, noted for fast driving, was going about 40 miles an hour and Aunt Lelah said “Son, slow down, you are driving too fast!”.

We look forward to your stay.

Steven Cordrey