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Progressive & Modern Era

Rogers-O'Daniel House

Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas

Marker Inscription

William Joseph Rogers built this residence after purchasing a 137-acre farm here in 1901. Originally a three-story, Queen Anne style frame structure, it was remodeled by W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel (1890-1969) in 1925, after the farm was subdivided. O'Daniel had moved to Fort Worth as sales manager for Burrus Mills. He sponsored the Light Crust Doughboys, won election as Governor of Texas, 1939-1941, and sold this property in 1945 while serving as U.S. Senator, 1941-1949.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

William Joseph Rogers built this home on a 137-acre farm in 1901, and in 1925 it was remodeled from a Queen Anne frame house by W. Lee 'Pappy' O'Daniel. O'Daniel had come to Fort Worth to manage Burrus Mills and gained fame sponsoring the Light Crust Doughboys radio band before riding that popularity into the Texas governor's office in 1939 and the U.S. Senate in 1941. He sold the property in 1945 while serving in Washington.

Why it matters

The house is tied to one of Texas's most colorful political careers, when radio celebrity and flour advertising propelled a businessman into the governorship and the Senate.

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Related people

  • ยท William Joseph Rogers
  • ยท W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel

Themes & tags

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