Wharton-Scott House "Thistle Hill" - Fort Worth, Texas
Posted by: 
txoilgas
N 32° 44.275 W 097° 20.544
14S E 655311 N 3623448
Thistle Hill, built in 1903, is a grand mansion offering a glimpse into the great era of the cattle barons.
Waymark Code: WM7B12
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 09/28/2009
Views: 9
Opulently restored, the Cattle Barons Mansion is one of the finest remaining examples of the Georgian Revival architectural style in the Southwest.
Built for Electra Waggoner, the daughter of one of Fort Worth’s wealthiest cattle baron’s, A.B. Wharton paid $46,000 for the construction of his 11,000 Square foot home.
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.
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.
Street address:
1509 Pennsylvania Ave
Fort Worth, Texas USA
76104
County / Borough / Parish: County
Year listed: 1975
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Periods of significance: 1900-1924
Historic function: Domestic
Current function: Museum
Privately owned?: yes
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.