Garvey-Veihl House

[bburton]

Another example of Queen Anne Victorian architecture in Fort Worth. The house is representative of the grand homes that once lined Samuels Avenue on the bluffs of the Trinity River at the turn of the century. This house badly needs restoration.

[Bruce M. Morris]

Is it privately owned, do you know?

[bburton]

Originally Posted by Bruce M. Morris

Is it privately owned, do you know?

I'm unsure of its present status. The address is 769 Samuels Avenue. Here's the info on the Texas Historical Commission plaque in front of the house:

"Early landowner Baldwin L. Samuel deeded land in this area to his daughter Mary and her husband Isaac Foster in 1876. The Fosters and their daughter Lucy (Lula) and her husband William B. Garvey moved here from Kentucky in 1882 and built a home overlooking the Trinity River on a lot adjacent to this home site. At that time many of the city's wealthiest families were building impressive homes along Samuels Avenue and the bluff of the Trinity River. The Garveys bought this lot from the Fosters in 1883 and in 1884 built a small 1-story frame residence. By the late 1890s they had enlarged the house to its current 2-story Queen Anne style appearance. The house exhibits hallmark features of the style, including asymmetrical massing, porches, dormers, and beehive turrets. The house was bequeathed to Baptist Church Charities following the Garvey's deaths in 1915. Merchant Robert C. Veihl and his wife, Lena B., bought the home in 1918. It was maintained by the Veihl family until 1959, but was subsequently abandoned and in 1972 faced condemnation. The house is representative of the grand homes that lined Samuels Avenue at the turn of the century. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark- 1993."

EDIT: The Tarrant Appraisal District lists the owner of this address as: Brenda L. Kelley. The house has 2,850 square feet with an appraised value of $94,000 and a market value of $150,000.

BTW: I saw one estimate on another forum that it would take $250,000 to restore the house!