Benton House
Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Victorian Gingerbread Cottage. Erected by pioneer businessman Meredith A. Benton in 1898, when the 4-lot site was "out in the country," and young Mrs. Benton (formerly of St. Louis) feared the Wild West. Designed by builder's father, house has central hall, six rooms, tiled fireplaces. Mrs. Benton, an active civic worker, helped plant rose beds that now are part of famous Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. Benton family lived here until 1942. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark- 1971. Marked by Junior League of Fort Worth.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When businessman Meredith A. Benton built this Victorian "gingerbread" cottage in 1898, the four-lot parcel sat out in the country, and his young St. Louis–born wife reportedly feared the still-wild West. Designed by the builder's father, the six-room house had a central hall and tiled fireplaces, and Mrs. Benton, a civic worker, helped plant rose beds that later became part of the celebrated Fort Worth Botanic Gardens.
Why it matters
The Benton cottage links one family's domestic life to a lasting public legacy, showing how the civic energy of turn-of-the-century women helped grow amenities a whole city would come to treasure.
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Related people
- · Meredith A. Benton
Themes & tags
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