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Ranch House on Rector


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#1 seurto

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Posted 16 June 2004 - 07:38 PM

First time to this site, but find it very interesting. I went to an estate sale at an old stone ranch house on the corner of Rector/Gambrell/Cockrell on the south side of FW. Apparently built in the '20s by the Rector family, sold later in the '60s to the Burtons or Brutons. Would be very interested in any info on this house. It must have been beautiful in its day, but doesn't look like it will survive restoration.

#2 John T Roberts

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Posted 16 June 2004 - 07:38 PM

Welcome to the Fort Worth Forum! The Rector House was constructed around 1931; however, the exact date is unknown. Originally the home was built for Dr. Issac A. and Ida Withers. The original parcel of land that the home stood was 13 acres, but has been subdivided over the years. The home still sits on a 1/2 block site in the South Hills Neighborhood. The Rectors lived in the home from 1939 until 1968. The home and its design are very unusual for the period of the late 1920's/early 1930's. This information is from the Tarrant County Historic Resources Survey, published by Historic Fort Worth, Inc.

#3 seurto

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Posted 16 June 2004 - 07:38 PM

Thanks so much for the info. As I've lived in the S Hills area for many, many years, I have passed it many times and always wondered about it. We were very intrigued with the inside and figure it must have been a grand ranch house in its day. Hopefully it can be preserved. - I LOVE this site by the by.

#4 John T Roberts

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Posted 16 June 2004 - 07:39 PM

Thanks. I'm sure you have explored the companion site of http://www.fortwortharchitecture.com?

#5 joelburns

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Posted 16 June 2004 - 07:40 PM

When we were just out of college, our first rental house was on Rector St., a few houses down from the old ranch house. (That was some time ago -- I think the old S&H Greenstamp redemption center was still open at the other end of the block on Seminary).

As CoFW Landmarks Commission Chairman, I've fielded quite a few calls about this property over the last month, including ones from Councilman Silcox's council staff and those within the Preservation community.

Earlier this summer I created (with the support of the full HCLC Commission) a Historic Designation Committee, chaired by past HCLC-Chair Quentin McGown, to advise the HCLC on Fort Worth's unprotected and underprotected historic resources. I'm please to report that at the Committee's second monthly meeting yesterday (Aug 4th), the Rector house was brought up and that it's protection is a priority. Though admittedly, there are some more-pressing issues with a number of more significant architectural resources currently facing strong development pressures. But my feeling is that there is an interest and strong possiblity the Rector house might be nominated for historic designation later this fall.

Joel Burns

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#6 360texas

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Posted 16 June 2004 - 07:40 PM

Does this property have a street address?? I might go take a picture of it so all can see what y'all are talking about.

Dave

#7 seurto

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Posted 16 June 2004 - 07:40 PM

I don't know the actual address off the top of my head; I'll try and drive by tomorrow to get it, but it is bordered by Rector St., Gambrell, and Cockrell. If I have my directions correct (which I don't guarantee) it is south of Seminary, north of Bilglade, west of McCart and east of Stadium. Don't know if that helps or not. I'm really pleased to hear that there is interest in perserving it. It has the main house and a guest house, plus an old cistern with broken windmill behind the guest house. It's made of stone and sits back some on the property. I'll really be interested in keeping up with its progress.

#8 John T Roberts

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Posted 16 June 2004 - 07:41 PM

The address is 3001 W. Gambrell Street.

#9 Andy N

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Posted 16 June 2004 - 07:43 PM

Last post was goofed. Here's the corrected info.

Link to aerial photo of house:

DFWMaps.com

Lot 9 Block A

PDF of TAD Map

Current Owner:

Tarrant Appraisal District

#10 360texas

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Posted 16 June 2004 - 07:43 PM

Lots of street construction going on around the neighborhood.

The residence was difficult to see from the street. I gave up trying to zoom in - all I could see were the trees.

View from Cockrell street curb.
Posted Image


View from Rector Ave steet edge.
Posted Image

#11 seurto

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Posted 08 July 2004 - 08:35 AM

I drove past this house again yesterday just to see if anything had been done to it. There has actually been some cleaning up on the grounds. You can see the house much better and there is a structure on the west (?) side towards the back that has been torn down. I think I called it a well house or something as it was next to an old cistern. I didn't notice if the cistern was there. I have no idea who owns it now; there isn't a "for sale" sign or anything, so I assume someone picked it up for a song. However, I'm afraid it may be a long opera by the time they get through :smwink: .

#12 mastin

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Posted 02 May 2016 - 01:10 PM

I don't know if anyone will see this but we wanted to update the interested on our property. We were successful in restoring the house to our preferences without significantly changing the original design. We have photos and newspaper articles featuring first the building and later the finished living room of the house. It is still a work in progress as we have not tackled the entrance nor front porch. The gardens have been greatly expanded.

Let this be an invitation to anyone who would like an impromptu visit to e-mail: billmastin1@gmail.com We are usually available in the afternoon and you will probably not find the house ready for a photo shoot but you will get the idea.

#13 Doohickie

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Posted 02 May 2016 - 06:32 PM

I pass that house all the time and I've often wondered about its history.  (I hadn't seen this thread before.)  I live near Sycamore and McCart and ride my bike into the city quite a bit.  That house is on my way back home from the TCU area.


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