Wiley G. Clarkson, Architect

Corsicana:  June 1908 to Dec. 1911

Fort Worth: Jan. 1912 to May 5, 1952

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Ryan Place Addition

The names of the original owners are based on letters, a portfolio, business records, and other references. This listing is accurate.  Some of these homes have historic markers.  The dates on each home are normally based on the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) unless the records of Wiley Clarkson indicate a different date.

 

All photos were made using High Dynamic Range digital photographic techniques to enhance details and colors

Ryan Place Drive

 

2517 Ryan Place Drive

(shelf 2 #419)

TAD 1928:  This house was designed and built as a Christmas present for hia wife, Mary Kate Johnson Clarkson. In a letter to a relative, he said he went way over his budget on the house but he was doing it anyway! The styles in this house are visible in a several other houses he designed but are quite different from the majority of his work.  The following is the description used by the Ryan Place Historical District to describe the house:  "The Clarkson home is a Jacobean Tudor Revival Home with a red brick veneer peppered with clinkers bricks.  The steeply pitched gables and roof are clad with hand-colored Ludowice Imperial tiles.  Stone and cast stone are used throughout the first floor exterior walls accented with Tudor features.  The Jacobean Tudor Revival theme continues with cement stucco and timbers construction on the second floor.  A distinct Tudor diaper pattern is used on the attic gable above the six stained glass windows which tell the story of the House of Windsor whom Mrs. Clarkson was a distant relation."  His personal set of bluprints, landscaping drawings, material lists, specifications, etc are in tact.  The landscaping was done on onion skin drawing paper with pencil and included placement of each plant and tree, with a complete list of the names of each plant he wanted planted.

 

 

2416 Ryan Place Drive 

(Box 1 #182)

TAD 1920:  Designed for James D. Davis, a partner in the firm of Stonestreet & Davis, merchandisers of men’s clothing and shoes. When I was photographing this house, the owner happened to be on the porch.  At that point, she had not had proof that Clarkson was the architect.  She now has that proof which is a copy of an invoice on Dec. 13, 1919 that was sent to John C. Ryan Sr, for three sets of plans:  Gumm, Sandidge, and Davis.

 

 

2508 Ryan Place Drive

(Drawer 1 #305)

TAD 1927:  This two-wtory stucco home with red tile roof was designed designed for Dr. William C. Duringer, a prominent surgeon in the early 20th Century.

 

 

 

2516 Ryan Place Drive  (Drawer 1 #311)

This two-story Georgian Revival home with semi-circular entrance portico was built in 1917 for Floyd J. Holmes, vice-president and general manager of the Planet Petroleum Co. and president of the Comet Petroleum Co. It remained in the Holmes family through the 1930s.

 

 

 

2530 Ryan Place Drive

(drawer 1 #484)

TAD 1917:  Originally designed for John C. Ryan, Jr, and his wife Lucy, this two-story Georgian villa with became the  John C. Ryan, Sr. home after the sale of their home on Elizabeth Blvd.  He and his wife, Elizabeth lived until their deaths.

 

 

Elizabeth Blvd.

 

1030 Elizabeth Blvd:  (drawer 1 #546)   

TAD 1912:  Designed for Cattleman Andrew J. Long.  This house is unique in that the interior is the same design as the Thistle Hill home. Andrew Long was an old stockman compared to some of his cattle raising friends.  This house is similar to the house for Dr. Johnson at 3 Chase Court.

 

 

1100 Elizabeth

(drawer 2 #130)

TAD 1912:  This home was designed for Dr. Ira. C. Chase, a prominent surgeon, medical professor and text book author.  The house was sold to Henry C. Meacham around 1920.  Meacham was the owner of Meacham's  Department Store in downtown Fort Worth, served as mayor of Fort Worth from 1925 to 1927, and was the person for whom Meacham Field (airport) was named.  His daughter, Minnie, married Amon G. carter and the wedding was held at the home.

 

 

 

1101 Elizabeth Blvd

(box 1 #92)

TAD 1918:  Built for the widow of Zeno Ross.  At the time of the photographic order by Clarksonr, the owner was listed as C. E. Terrell.  According to the job number, this house was probably built circa 1914.

 

 

 

1107 Elizabeth  Blvd

(box 1 #383)

TAD 1919:  Designed for Earle M. North, president of Webb-North Buick Company, it was sold to the Hon. W. M. Short in 1921.

 

 

 

1111 Elizabeth Blvd

  (box 1 #139)

TAD 1916:  Some of Clarkson's records point to the original client as being Zeno Ross, a prominent attorney, and that this house was actually sold to the known occupant after completion.  That person was  George W. Armstrong, a graduate of the University of Texas and an attorney who moved to Fort Worth in 1890.  He abandoned law for cotton, oil, and banking.  The home was sold in 1924 and from 1935 to 1955 served as the parsonage for the First Methodist Episcopal Church (now the first United Methodist Chruch of Fort Worth).

 

 

1200 Elizabeth Blvd.

(box 2 #104)

TAD 1920:  It was designed for Henry W. Williams, Jr., vice president of the H. W. Williams Co., a major wholesale pharmaceutical firm in the Southwest.  The Williams family lived in the house until1942.

 

 

1216 Elizabeth Blvd.

 (drawer 1 #79)

Designed and built in1918 for Mr. Wilson. E. Connell, a Midland banker, cattleman, and petroleum producer, who became president of the Board of the First National Bank of Fort Worth.  Connell started out in the cattle business as a teenager.  He eventually would own more than 100,000 acres and 3000 to 5000 cattle.  The great oil strike in the Permian Basin that was made in 1926 on his ranch in Ector County marked the beginning of a tremendous boom that fundamentally changed the character of the county's economy and society.  It was the start of a continuing exploration and production of oil in the West Texas Permian Basin.  The following link is to a recently published story about this house and the new owners: "A Family Puts Down Roots in a Historic Home"  360 West Magazine Nov. 2014 .  The Connell family remained in this home until 1951.

  

 

 

1221 Elizabeth Blvd.

 (drawer 1#240)

TAD 1922:  Designed for Mr. Temple B. Hoffer, an oilman with a variety of business interests, it was considered a "high tech" home when it was built.  It had an intercom, ice box with a cold water tap, kitchen incinerator, and electric bulb heating in the baths. The house was eventually sold to Major General John A. Hulen.

 

 

 

1301 Elizabeth Blvd.

 (drawer 1 #208)

TAD 1921 (actual date 1920):  This eclectic design was commissioned by Dr. John H. McLean. McLean was the son of W. P. McLean, a prominent attorney and member of the Texas Legislature and U. S. House of Representatives.

 

 

1302 Elizabeth Blvd.

 (drawer 1 #184)

TAD 1913: This house was originally designed for John C. Ryan Sr, the visionary and very successful developer of Ryan Place, in the second year my grandfather was in business in Fort Worth.  Ryan only lived in the house for about three years, selling it in 1917 to Bert. K. Smith, brother of Jule Smith, and co-owner of Smith Brother's Grain Company.  The house remained in the Smith family until 1965.  It was purchased in 2013 by Samuel and Jennifer Demel, who completed a massive two year renovation of the home and graciously opened it to the public during the annual Ryan Place Candlelight Tour for the first time in two decades .  The renovation has been beautifully done, but according to Jennifer, there is still more to do.  They have restored the grandeur this lovely lady deserves and have insured that its beauty will grace Fort Worth's Ryan Place district for many years to come.  This house ranked high on Clarkson's list of favorite accomplishments.  He used this house to sell his services to many of the most famous and wealthy Fort Worth citizens who would build Fort Worth to the city it is today.  A beautifully photographed story about the Demel home can be read in the pages of the April 2015 issue of 360 West Magazine.

 

 

 

1309 Elizabeth Blvd. 

Designed originally in 1912 for Mr. Alex Spears, business man and realtor, the house was sold soon after to William H. Francis, attorney with the Lone Star Gas Co. Francis lived in the house until 1918, when he sold it to Brandon Stone.  Stone's father helped write the Texas Constitution.  The home remained in the Stone family until the 1960's.  No further info has been found on Alex Spears in Fort Worth after selling the home to Francis.  In 1916, the Texas Banks Record, Volume 6, Page 43, states that a new bank was expected to open in Cisco and Alex Spears is named as the Cashier.  Clarkson lists a house designed for Alex Spears in Cisco.  An additional project is also tied to Spears, which was remodeling of the First National Bank of Cisco. Spears was wounded in the jaw during the Santa Clause Robbery of the bank on Dec. 23, 1927.  Spears went on to become the president of the bank. 

 

 

1315 Elizabeth Blvd.

  (drawer 2 #98)

This grand home was designed in 1918 for Mr. Jule. G. Smith, brother of Bert K. Smith, and co-owner of Smith Brother's Grain Comp.  It is one of the largest on Elizabeth Blvd.  Both families resided on Elizabeth Blvd for many years.

 

 

1400 Elizabeth Blvd

 (drawer 2 #320)

This house was built in 1923 for M. A. Fuller, who had business interests in banking and cottonseed oil. It is a two story Spanish Colonial Revival style house with a tan plaster exterior, low pitch tile roof and bracketed cornice. This is a single-family home with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, and approximately 5,592 square feet. The property has a lot size of 0.51 acre

 

 

1405 Elizabeth Blvd.  (drawer 1 #207)

This house was designed in 1920 for J. S. Todd, president of the Evans-Snider-Ball Co., of the Livestock Commission Merchants Association.

 

 

 

1411 Elizabeth Blvd.

  (box 2 #131)

This house was designed in 1917 for Graham P. Stewart, who became the assistant cashier for Fort Worth National Bank in 1904, and his wife, Mamie Blount Stewart, as a wedding gift from her parents.  Stewart's grandfather was Col. E.S. Graham, one of the founders of Graham, Texas. His other grandfather was Malcolm Graeme Stewart, who owned a ranch of 9,000 acres in Jack County. Graham  Stewart sold the house in 1923 to Count Capps, a businessman and developer.  Stewart then moved back to Graham as one of the directors of the First National Bank of Graham at a crucial time in the story of the bank.  He later became president of that bank and very successful in business.  Stewart then built a house at 900 W. Kentucky Ave in Graham.  Descendants fo Graham P. Stewart have said they believe the Graham house was designed by a Fort Worth architect, whose name has been lost over the years.

The following photos were supplied by the present owner.  They are from the 1920's before the Stewart's sold the house and moved to Graham, TX.

 

 

 

     

The photo on the left is Graham P Stewart, the center photo is his wife, Mamie Blount Stewart, and the photo on the right is their children Tasca and Edward with their nanny in front of the house.

   

1418 Elizabeth Blvd.

 (HistoricFortWorth.org)

TAD 1916:  The house was built for Charles C. Gumm, a partner in the law firm of Burns, Chastain, Gumm & Cordon.  Ryan Place records have the date of construction as 1919.  The Gumm family retained ownership until 1952.  During this time frame, Clarkson's first partner, Fields, had established a 2nd office in Wichita Falls.  Fields moved to Kansas in 1917 and my grandfather formed an association with another architect, A. Wright Gains.  The plans carry the Gains and Clarkson name on them.  Gains would pass away suddenly a couple of years later.  The contractor for this house was John C. Ryan Jr.

 

 

1501 Elizabeth Blvd.

 (drawer 2 #224)

The house was built in 1919 for Benjamin H. Martin, vice-president of the Farmers & Mechanics National Bank.  It remained in the Martin family until 1948.

 

 

 

1505 Elizabeth Blvd

  (box 1 #144)

Built c. 1918 for Samuel Augustus Teas, partner in the insurance and bond firm of Head, Teas & Co.  This house sold in 1936 to Edward W. Mckee, a wholesale grocer in Fort Worth.  In 1950, Judge J. C. Duvall purchased the house.

 

 

1508 Elizabeth Blvd

  (box 1 #119)

According to the job index, this house was built by B. C. Rhodes and John C. Ryan Jr.  Clarkson lists it as job #119.  Historic Fort Worth, which has been an excellent source of information, says it was built in 1919 for an attorney in Fort Worth named William F. Young but does not name the architect.  It lists the builder as B. C. Rhodes.  This the only house listed with this particular builder.  My records point to this house originally being planned as a spec house and then Mr. Young probably became interested in the house during construction (speculation).  The house was owned by the young family until 1957.

 

 

College Ave.

 

2420 College Ave.

  (box 2 #225)

TAD 1920:  The house was built for George T. Sandidge, a cattleman. Dr. Webb Walker bought the property in 1925, residing here until 1954, when it was sold to St. John's Episcopal Church to be used as a rectory.  The house shows the Prarie School style of architecture which my grandfather used in several houses, include the home of Dr. Johnson at 3 Chase Court.

 

 

 

2424 College Ave

 (Box 1 #171)

This home was designed in 1913 for Marvin C Rall, a prominent grain merchant in the 1920's.  It is described as a two-story eclectic buff brick home with parapeted roof and a Missionesque dormer.

 

 

 

6th Ave.

 

1715 6th Ave

 

This home was designed and built between 1917 and 1920 for himself and his wife.  It was close to the Ryan Place addition where he was doing a lot of new housing design and construction.  He would design and build an new and much larger home for his wife and son in 1928 at 2517 Ryan Place Drive, just several blocks away.  This photo was made in the 1990's before the final owner managed to collapse one side of the house while trying to level the house causing it to be condemned and torn down.  It is believed by a previous resident in the Ryan Place addition who supplied this photo that the house originally had a single dormer.

 

Wiley G Clarkson and Mary Kate Johnson Clarkson with their son Wiley G. Jr. about 1921.

 

 

 

 

2306 6th Avenue

 (box 2 #169)

1920:  D. Carl Webb

 

 

2310 6th Ave 

(box 2 #146)

1918:  Henry T Compton

 

 

2421 6th Avenue

(box 1 #101)

This house with a full balcony and French doors across the front was designed for A. M. Luckett

 

 

2525 6th Ave 

(letter written apx 1929)

This one story, buff brick home with wrap around porch was designed for Owen A. Wood in 1925.

 

 

2532 6th Avenue 

(box 1 #117)

TAD 1924:  William Paul Gage

 

 

2749 6th Ave

TAD 1927:  Designed for Earl M. (Floy) North,  President Webb-North Motor Company, Secretary-Treasurer Winfield Garage Company, Black & White Taxicab Company, Winfield Garage & Livery Company, Secretary Hoffer Oil Corporation, Treasurer Fort Worth Building and Loan Association

 

 

5th Avenue

 

2515 5th Avenue 

(box 2 #97)

1918:  Designed for E. M. Sullivan

 

 

 

2604 5th Avenue

(box 1 #303)

TAD 1922

This one-story Federal cottage with round-headed dormers was designed in 1922 for Elmo Sledd, a Vice-President of the Ft. Worth National Bank, who was the son of Joshua Z. Sledd and Florence A. (Churchill) Sledd.  Sledd passed away in 1924.  In 1936 or 1937, Clarkson purchased this house after selling his home at 2517 Ryan Place Drive.  He and his wife lived in this house until they purchased the house at 1417 Hillcrest where they lived until their deaths in 1952 and 1974.

 

 

2744 5th Avenue 

(box 1 #156)

1927:  Designed for John C. Ryan Jr. and his wife Lucy, after his father took over the home at 2530 Ryan Place Drive.

 

 

 

South Adams

 

2512 South Adams

 (drawer 2 #396)

TAD 1927:  Designed for Mr. Max Mehl by Charles O. Chromaster, who was a architect/designer employed by my grandfather.  This is apparently one of the few houses that the name of the person who performed the design work in my grandfather's firm is known.  Mr. Mehl also hired Clarkson to design a four story building at 1228 South Henderson, The Max Mehl Building. Mr. Chromaster went on to become a well known and respected architect in his own firm in later years (see Buildings)

 

 

 

 

 

Willing

 

2533 Willing

Box 1 Job 222

TAD 1922:  This house was designed for Joseph Collins, Vice President Walker Bread Company