Bel-Asher
Asherton, Dimmit County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Designed by noted San Antonio architect Alfred Giles and built in 1910, this imposing structure was the home of Asher Richardson and his wife, Mary Isabelle (Belle). Richardson developed the town of Asherton, routing his railroad, the Asherton and Gulf Railway Co., through the city in 1905. Christened with a combination of the Richardsons' first names, the house has remained in the family for generations. An architectural hybrid with some prairie school style influences, Bel-Asher features native sandstone construction and large projecting eaves. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1990
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Designed by noted San Antonio architect Alfred Giles and built in 1910, Bel-Asher was the home of Asher Richardson and his wife Mary Isabelle, whose combined names christened the house. Richardson founded the town of Asherton and routed his Asherton and Gulf Railway Co. through it in 1905, tying the community into the wider rail network. Built of native sandstone with prairie-school influences and broad projecting eaves, the house has stayed in the family for generations and was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1990.
Why it matters
Bel-Asher embodies the railroad entrepreneurs whose lines conjured whole towns into existence across early-20th-century Texas, leaving grand homes as monuments to that boom.
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Related people
- · Alfred Giles
- · Asher Richardson
- · Mary Isabelle Richardson
Themes & tags
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