Waggoner Mansion Decatur, TX

WAGGONER MANSION
picture from pinterest

While visiting the town of Decatur, several of the local folks told us about the Waggoner Mansion.  It sits on a small hill at the end of Main Street.  The house is privately owned and is not open to the public.  Which is sort of a shame as this would be a big tourist draw, especially if it was part of the candlelight tour at the holidays.

Dan Waggoner, a cattle baron, build the house in 1883.  It sits on over 13 acres of land.  It is make of fossiliferous limestone and has an ornate cupola on the roof line.  In it's time it was known as "El Castile".  


Wise County Historical Society

According to the Wise County Historical Society website, the house has a large basement, 16 rooms, 6 1/2 bathrooms, 4 bedrooms upstairs and 2 bedrooms downstairs.  Apparently about 90% of it's original craftsman details and materials has been retained.  The article indicates that the interior is in good condition.  However, we saw that the exterior sports many windows boarded over with plywood.  There are numerous "No Trespassing" signs all around the property so The Travelling Toe could only capture a few images of this mysterious mansion.  It is sheltered by large bushes and trees.

Two photos below by The Travelling Toe.

In the photo to the right, the wood covered windows can be seen.  However, above the plywood, it appeared that the original leaded glass windows were intact.






El Castile is a fine example of a Texas Victorian home.  










One interesting factoid about this house is that it served as the template for Reata in the movie "Giant" staring Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean.  Compare the picture at the top of the page, to this one of Reata.  It seems to reflect an interesting resemblement between the two houses.

REATA
from "Giant"

Stick with The Travelling Toe and you will learn all sorts of trivia tidbits!