The Cryer House

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Side portico of Woodbine Mansion
I was out and about on an errand when I noticed this car parked alongside the portico of this home. Something about the 70's vintage automobile parked by the even earlier vintage home struck me so I stopped to shoot a couple of photos.

There is a Texas Historical marker by the gate and I learned that the name of the house is "Woodbine" and that it was built between 1895 and 1900 by a local businessman, A.J. Nelson. 

Virginia Creeper covers much of the structure
The house occupies a full block. There are several rather charming outbuildings and the grounds are nicely cared for. However the house itself has a slightly disheveled  look that, combined with the almost, but not quite vintage automobile, brings a Faulkner novel to mind.

How it looked in 1900
 My interest piqued, I did a quick internet search. It turns out that the house has been extensively remodeled more than once. It looked quite different when construction was completed in 1900, with a turret on the northeastern corner and much more Victorian in style.
Entrance from Main Avenue
The grounds viewed from Main Avenue. Note the windmill.

Ionic columns were added in 1931 and the turret was removed.
Greeting guests by the gate.


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