Santa Teresa Ranch

PROJECT LOCATION: Hamilton County, Texas
CLIENT: Bob and Judy Mow
DOC: 2005

DESCRIPTION:
Designed in 1930 in the Mediterranean Style by the architectural firm of Carsey & Linskie, the Santa Teresa Ranch Headquarters was constructed below the top of a gentle hill in Hamilton County, Texas. The house was commissioned by the Bywaters Family of Dallas, Texas.

The program was somewhat unique in that two separate living units at the ground level were separated by a porte-cochere. One smaller unit was for Ban Bywaters and the larger unit to the north was for his parents Mr. And Mrs. David Bywaters. The original plans, still existing, indicate a second story that spanned across the top of the arched porte-cochere. Twin stairs, one in each unit, accessed the second level which consisted primarily of bedrooms, baths, servants quarters, and storage rooms. A second floor porch was accessed from the southeast facing rooms and included an exterior stairway.

The existing building was not completed as originally planned, but rather a scaled-down version of the original concept. Completed as a single story house, stair halls were replaced by storage spaces. The 24 inch thick masonry walls were completed as frame structure with stone veneer of local origin. The roof is terra cotta tile. Doors and windows are steel casement. Many of the original details were not completed or are no longer in evidence.

The ranch, including the compound, passed through varied ownership and usage. Each successive owner made their modifications to the architecture in response to changes in program, budget, and whim.

The current owners would like to adapt the original compound to a modern conference center retaining as much of the original 1930's fabric as practicable. The first efforts are to document the structure to HABS criteria through photography and measured drawings. Investigations and studies are being conducted into the architectural and historical backgrounds of the site, buildings, and people involved. Since original elevations do not exist, the clients have requested elevations indicating the original second story as it might have looked.