Mimosa Hall
Encyclopedia
Mimosa Hall is the name of a plantation home in Leigh, Texas
. Mimosa Hall was built in 1844 by John J. Webster, an architect from Alabama
who moved to the then Republic of Texas
. John J. Webster was born in Alabama in 1796, the son of a revolutionary soldier. He moved to Texas in 1839 with his wife, Miriam Webster, and their children.
, originally situated in the middle of 7000 acres (28.3 km²) of land. All of the bricks were made on the plantation, and the lumber was cut on the property by the slaves. The plantation was primarily used for planting.
The family cemetery was on the property adjoining the house. Nestled two miles (3 km) back in the woods, the cemetery is surrounded by an old brick wall on the top of a knoll. The original family were all buried there, and the cemetery is still maintained by their descendants.
The American Museum in Britain has in its permanent collection a quilt made by slaves on the Mimosa Hall Plantation. The quilt, circa 1860, is called "The Chalice."
, along with its sister home in nearby Karnack, Texas
, which was the birthplace of Lady Bird Johnson
. The plantation stayed in the original family until the 1980s, when it was sold by Douglas Blocker. Mimosa Hall was then a bed and breakfast
for several years, until it was sold to the current owners. Today the plantation is a private residence.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Mimosa Hall was built in 1844 by John J. Webster, an architect from Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
who moved to the then Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
. John J. Webster was born in Alabama in 1796, the son of a revolutionary soldier. He moved to Texas in 1839 with his wife, Miriam Webster, and their children.
History
It was the first brick house in Harrison CountyHarrison County, Texas
Harrison County is a county of the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 62,110. It is named for Jonas Harrison, a lawyer and Texas revolutionary. It is located in the Ark-La-Tex region...
, originally situated in the middle of 7000 acres (28.3 km²) of land. All of the bricks were made on the plantation, and the lumber was cut on the property by the slaves. The plantation was primarily used for planting.
The family cemetery was on the property adjoining the house. Nestled two miles (3 km) back in the woods, the cemetery is surrounded by an old brick wall on the top of a knoll. The original family were all buried there, and the cemetery is still maintained by their descendants.
The American Museum in Britain has in its permanent collection a quilt made by slaves on the Mimosa Hall Plantation. The quilt, circa 1860, is called "The Chalice."
Current
Today the house sits in the middle of 150 acre (0.607029 km²), and is a private residence. It is registered in the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, along with its sister home in nearby Karnack, Texas
Karnack, Texas
Karnack is a rural unincorporated community in northeastern Harrison County near Caddo Lake in the eastern region of the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 775 at the 2000 census....
, which was the birthplace of Lady Bird Johnson
Lady Bird Johnson
Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson was First Lady of the United States from 1963 to 1969 during the presidency of her husband Lyndon B. Johnson. Throughout her life, she was an advocate for beautification of the nation's cities and highways and conservation of natural resources and made that...
. The plantation stayed in the original family until the 1980s, when it was sold by Douglas Blocker. Mimosa Hall was then a bed and breakfast
Bed and breakfast
A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
for several years, until it was sold to the current owners. Today the plantation is a private residence.