Washington Bower
Taylor, Williamson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
"Washington Bower" - built 1853, first frame house in this area. Site, an 1838 Republic of Texas land grant to Simon Miller, was inherited by Lucinda Lawrence, wife of Henry Inlo Layne -- farmer, rancher, mason, builder of this house. Layne was host here (1857) to military hero Robert E. Lee; in 1868, was a victor in Civil War Battle of Galveston. Texas Revolution veteran Adam Lawrence died here in 1878. Placed passed in 1890 to Adella Layne and her husband, William Russell Landers. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1971
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1853 on an 1838 Republic of Texas land grant, the "Washington Bower" is remembered as the area's first frame house, raised by farmer and mason Henry Inlo Layne. The home hosted Robert E. Lee in 1857, and Layne went on to serve in the Civil War. A veteran of the Texas Revolution, Adam Lawrence, died here in 1878.
Why it matters
Few homes tie together the Republic of Texas, the Texas Revolution generation, and the Civil War under one roof, making this frame house a crossroads of nineteenth-century Texas history.
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Related people
- · Henry Inlo Layne
- · Robert E. Lee
- · Adam Lawrence
Themes & tags
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