The Architecture
The architectural style of this house is Italianate Villa, with small cozy rooms and a tower room where the owner could survey his acreage. This style was popular along the Hudson River, and in that area it is referred to as Hudson River Architecture. Note the square cupola, tall hooded windows and mansard roof. The dining room and large bedroom above it were added about 1880. The second addition, the Entertainment Wing with its own entrance hall was added in 1884. Mr. Mann had his workmen put aside the most perfect bricks to use for his house, the terraces, storm cellar and the large chimneys of the four servant houses. The Hudson River was better behaved than the Brazos. Every few years the Brazos would flood and the house was under water numerous times and, at least once, up to the second floor galleries. Howard Mann once told that, during the big 1913 flood, his mother had her favorite cow taken up to the second floor, out of the water, before she would leave.
The Times
East Terrace was the name given to the house J. W. Mann built on the East bank of the Brazos River. The grounds were terraced at intervals down to the river, which ran approximately where Lake Brazos Drive is now, with brick walls and walks. These terraces are evident in pictures displayed in the house. Many people recalled the grounds resplendent with rose gardens, strutting peacocks, a sunken garden with a goldfish pond, an orchard and columbine draped terraces. Strawberry season meant invitations to friends to enjoy fresh strawberries and cream, and an opportunity to gather as many berries as they liked.
To Top
The Families
The first owner of East Terrace, J. W. Mann, was born November 9, l838, in Lebanon, Tennessee, where he, his father, J. C. Mann and brother, Thomas, raised horses. Mr. Mann bought land and horses in the Waco area as early as 1858 and was living here in 1861 when he enlisted in the Confederate Army as a private in Company C, Sixth Regiment, Texas Cavalry. He served as a scout under Captain Pete Ross until his discharge in 1863. It is said that on one occasion he was assigned cooking duties that led to his being nicknamed "Sallie", which his friends called him for the remainder of his life. It is estimated that Mr. Mann bought the property around 1872 and began building the house the following year. The family moved in early 1874. His wife, Cemira Twaddle Mann, was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, and lived there until she was 11 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Mann had two sons, Howard (the oldest) and J. W., Jr. (Wesley) who was nine years younger. There was also an infant who died and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery. Mr. Mann was a successful businessman. His business interests included: Brazos Mills, Brazos Flouring Mill, Waco and Brazos Valley Railroad Company, Waco Ice and Refrigerating Company, Bell Water Company, Waco Lumber Company, Mann Town Company, Texas Town Site Company and the First National Bank where he served as a director and President. His kilns also furnished the bricks used in building the Suspension Bridge, as well as a number of early Waco buildings. They were located east of the house near Dallas Street. His brother, Thomas Mann, had a smaller house built of the same pink bricks facing Dallas Street. The bricks from that house were salvaged to build the walks around this house when it was restored. J. W. Mann died on November 13, l909, at age 71. Cemira continued to live at East Terrace until she moved to her son Wesley's stock farm in Robinson. Mr. Mann had previously deeded the stock farm, Wild Air, to Wesley. Mrs. Mann died at her son's home in 1934. Wesley Mann died August 3, 1939. The house changed hands several times while Howard retained a room there until his death. From 1930 to 1939, East Terrace was used by a Dr. Charles Lemly. The house became the Lemly Chiropractic Psychopathic Sanatorium, a patient boarding facility for the sick. In the 1940's, Howard Mann rented the house out to different tenants until his death March 8, 1948. There are no descendants of the J. W. Mann Family of East Terrace. The house was abandoned for a number of years and tall weeds grew up around it.
To
Top
|
