Belvidere Mansion - Claremore, OK - Photos Then and Now on Waymarking.com

Coming to Oklahoma Indian Territory at the turn of the 20th century, John Bayless began construction of this home in 1902. Construction was nearing completion in 1907 when John Bayless died of an appendicitis attack. His wife and seven children lived in the home from 1907 to 1919. The home was later remodeled into twelve apartments by a new owner, and fell into disrepair in the late 1980's. It was obtained by the Rogers County Historical Society in 1992, refurbished, and today restored to its original splendor.

Mrs. Bayless named the home The Belvidere, which is a French word meaning a beautiful view, or beautiful to see. This is a three-story home in the Victorian Gothic style. It was placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The house has four turrets made of red brick, with the house itself being yellow brick. There is a hipped roof with projecting eaves and at the front, there are covered porches on the first and second levels, each supported by four Doric columns. On the northeast side is a covered carriage porch, which at one time had a circular drive was guests and visitors.

With a total of 9,000 square feet, originally the home had two parlors, a kitchen, dining and two bathrooms on the first level; five bedrooms and two baths on the second level; and a large ballroom on the third, where parties and entertainment took place. Today, the ground floor has a tea room, gift shop, foyer, bathroom and kitchen. The second floor has three authentically furnished bedrooms, a bath and office, and the third floor ballroom is used to cater weddings and other events.

The interior contains the original lavish features which include one inch inlaid tile (laid by imported Italian artisans), pressed tin ceilings and walls, with marble wainscoting, and beautiful wood parquet flooring. Through the center of the house, from the ground floor to the third, is an open atrium which assisted in keeping the home heated and cooled as air circulated through all three floors. When opened, the innovative skylight of the 3,000 square foot, third-story ballroom, allowed fresh air to circulate through the home on hot summer nights. In winter, the bedrooms on the second floor were heated with the central atrium acting as a chimney to draw heat from gas fireplaces on the main floor. On the floor porch is a large one-inch tiled panel showing the name "Belvidere".

The home is open to the public on Tues-Sat: 10:00 - 3:00 (Tea Room 11:00-2:00). This home is beautiful and well worth a visit.

Year photo was taken: 1920's

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