The carriage house contents have changed greatly over the years. Today two 1960s-model automobiles are on display, far cries from the carriages and horses, originally kept here when it was first built. In the intervening years, the structure held many different cars belonging to members of the McFaddin and Ward families. W.PH. McFaddin bought his first car, a sixteen-horsepower Mitchell Touring Car, in July 1907, about the time the carriage house was being built.
Grounds
Carriage House GarageThe carriage house contents have changed greatly over the years. Today two 1960s-model automobiles are on display, far cries from the carriages and horses, originally kept here when it was first built. In the intervening years, the structure held many different cars belonging to members of the McFaddin and Ward families. W.PH. McFaddin bought his first car, a sixteen-horsepower Mitchell Touring Car, in July 1907, about the time the carriage house was being built.
Food for livestock was stored in this hayloft. Bales of hay, sacks of grain, and other heavy items were brought up through the opening at the north end of the room. The trap doors and small square openings in the floor on both sids of the room were for sending hay and grain into the stalls below.
The McFaddins stored other items here, too. Old packing crates and spare architectural elements, such as moldings and panels, were probably deposited here soon after the building was completed.
The woodwork shows evidence of various repairs through the years. At the window on the east (right) side, the wall has been patched with light blue ceiling boards. These probably had been part of a porch ceiling that was subsequently torn out. Earlier in the century, it was customary for porch ceilings to be painted this shade of light blue.
Food for livestock was stored in this hayloft. Bales of hay, sacks of grain, and other heavy items were brought up through the opening at the north end of the room. The trap doors and small square openings in the floor on both sids of the room were for sending hay and grain into the stalls below.
The McFaddins stored other items here, too. Old packing crates and spare architectural elements, such as moldings and panels, were probably deposited here soon after the building was completed.
The woodwork shows evidence of various repairs through the years. At the window on the east (right) side, the wall has been patched with light blue ceiling boards. These probably had been part of a porch ceiling that was subsequently torn out. Earlier in the century, it was customary for porch ceilings to be painted this shade of light blue.
The McFaddins relied on a large workforce that included domestic employees, farm workers, and ranch hands to ensure the smooth operation of their home and properties.
In the early twentieth century, many hard working people were necessary to maintain a wealthy family's lifestyle. This "supporting cast" was expected to provide superior service. whether with special skills, professional expertise, or physical labor. They took pride in their abilities and emplovers valued them in return; the interaction otten created a bond of mutual respect. These support groups helped to define an era, and todav their memories and observations help us to understand the important part they played.
The McFaddins relied on a large workforce that included domestic employees, farm workers, and ranch hands to ensure the smooth operation of their home and properties.
In the early twentieth century, many hard working people were necessary to maintain a wealthy family's lifestyle. This "supporting cast" was expected to provide superior service. whether with special skills, professional expertise, or physical labor. They took pride in their abilities and emplovers valued them in return; the interaction otten created a bond of mutual respect. These support groups helped to define an era, and todav their memories and observations help us to understand the important part they played.
Domestic employees were trained to work quietly and efficiently. Their behind-the-scenes work, as well as their secondary social status, kept them in the background.
On their own time, however, they had rich personal lives, shopping, being with family, attending church or social events.
Domestic employees were trained to work quietly and efficiently. Their behind-the-scenes work, as well as their secondary social status, kept them in the background.
On their own time, however, they had rich personal lives, shopping, being with family, attending church or social events.
People other than employees also provided essential services to the McFaddins. Each of them knew the value of impeccable performance and quality products, and of catering to the customer's every need, even when it included a trip to the McFaddin home.
The McFaddins had access to many more services than we have today: Beauticians, Sales clerks, Traveling salesmen, Pullman porters, Doctors and nurses, Personal secretaries, Grocery delivery people, Seamstresses.
People other than employees also provided essential services to the McFaddins. Each of them knew the value of impeccable performance and quality products, and of catering to the customer's every need, even when it included a trip to the McFaddin home.
The McFaddins had access to many more services than we have today: Beauticians, Sales clerks, Traveling salesmen, Pullman porters, Doctors and nurses, Personal secretaries, Grocery delivery people, Seamstresses.
Only 47 vehicles were registered in Beaumont in 1907, but by 1911 there were 240. As more Beaumonters bought cars, the number grew even more rapidly, especially in the 1920s. Jefferson County registrations jumped from 436 in 1911 to over 19,000 in 1925.
Only 47 vehicles were registered in Beaumont in 1907, but by 1911 there were 240. As more Beaumonters bought cars, the number grew even more rapidly, especially in the 1920s. Jefferson County registrations jumped from 436 in 1911 to over 19,000 in 1925.
Before the automobile became popular, Beaumonters traveled by horseback, horsedrawn buggy or carriage, common mode of transportation for local travel. The McFaddins could keep up to six horses in the interior stalls of the carriage house.
Before the automobile became popular, Beaumonters traveled by horseback, horsedrawn buggy or carriage, common mode of transportation for local travel. The McFaddins could keep up to six horses in the interior stalls of the carriage house.
W.PH. and Ida McFaddin never learned to drive, each had a car and a chauffeur. In an early attempt, W.P.H., a natural on horseback, tried to stop his automobile by shouting "WHOA!" only to have the car keep going right up the post office steps. Ida also tried to drive but said that the hood of the car "looked like a mountain" to her. Chauffeurs had to be mechanics as well as drivers, since early cars frequently broke down and their tires "punctured" easily. They also had to keep cars and carriage houses clean.
Andrew Molo drove Ida McFaddin's car from 1913 through most of the 1930s. During the 1930s, Andrew would sometimes take Ida and his young nephews, in Ida's car, to the "Joy Road," a driving track that went over a series of dirt mounds. Everyone, including Ida, enjoyed it.
Tom Parker was W..H. McFaddin's chauffeur from 1910 until W.PH. died in 1935. W.P.H. frequently urged Tom to drive across the marshy pastures at the ranch. Knowing they would get stuck, Tom refused. When W.PH. gruffly asked why, Tom replied, "Cause I can't pack you out of there."
W.PH. and Ida McFaddin never learned to drive, each had a car and a chauffeur. In an early attempt, W.P.H., a natural on horseback, tried to stop his automobile by shouting "WHOA!" only to have the car keep going right up the post office steps. Ida also tried to drive but said that the hood of the car "looked like a mountain" to her. Chauffeurs had to be mechanics as well as drivers, since early cars frequently broke down and their tires "punctured" easily. They also had to keep cars and carriage houses clean.
Andrew Molo drove Ida McFaddin's car from 1913 through most of the 1930s. During the 1930s, Andrew would sometimes take Ida and his young nephews, in Ida's car, to the "Joy Road," a driving track that went over a series of dirt mounds. Everyone, including Ida, enjoyed it.
Tom Parker was W..H. McFaddin's chauffeur from 1910 until W.PH. died in 1935. W.P.H. frequently urged Tom to drive across the marshy pastures at the ranch. Knowing they would get stuck, Tom refused. When W.PH. gruffly asked why, Tom replied, "Cause I can't pack you out of there."
A properly equipped carriage house had airy, well-planned stables for both cows and horses, with storage for feed in the hayloft above. Hay was sent down to the hayrack in each stall through a trap door, while grain came down a chute into the feedbox. Cow stalls opened to the outside, horses to the inside. Space around the carriage house was used for pens, to allow animals access to grass and fresh air. For a time, Ida also kept chickens in that area. In later years, the stalls were used for storage. The bathtubs and other fixtures stored in the second right hand stall used to be in the main house.
"When the oil boom came in 1901 and all these people came from the east, my mother and father knew them all and entertained them. I remember when they would go horseback riding they'd always come back for a big breakfast." - Mamie McFaddin Ward
A properly equipped carriage house had airy, well-planned stables for both cows and horses, with storage for feed in the hayloft above. Hay was sent down to the hayrack in each stall through a trap door, while grain came down a chute into the feedbox. Cow stalls opened to the outside, horses to the inside. Space around the carriage house was used for pens, to allow animals access to grass and fresh air. For a time, Ida also kept chickens in that area. In later years, the stalls were used for storage. The bathtubs and other fixtures stored in the second right hand stall used to be in the main house.
"When the oil boom came in 1901 and all these people came from the east, my mother and father knew them all and entertained them. I remember when they would go horseback riding they'd always come back for a big breakfast." - Mamie McFaddin Ward
Before the automobile became popular, Beaumonters traveled by horseback, horse-drawn buggy or carriage, streetcar, rail, boat-or on foot. Horses were the most common mode of transportation for local travel. The McFaddins could keep up to six horses in the interior stalls of the carriage house.
Before the automobile became popular, Beaumonters traveled by horseback, horse-drawn buggy or carriage, streetcar, rail, boat-or on foot. Horses were the most common mode of transportation for local travel. The McFaddins could keep up to six horses in the interior stalls of the carriage house.
The carriage house contents have changed greatly over the years. Today two 1960s-model automobiles are on display, far cries from the carriages and horses, originally kept here when it was first built. In the intervening years, the structure held many different cars belonging to members of the McFaddin and Ward families. W.PH. McFaddin bought his first car, a sixteen-horsepower Mitchell Touring Car, in July 1907, about the time the carriage house was being built.
In the early 1900s, automobiles and horse-drawn vehicles occupied the same roads. In 1907, the City of Beaumont passed traffic laws to provide for the safety of both: A) Beaumont autos could go only eight miles per hour, though the limit was soon increased to fifteen m.p.h. in town. B) Motor vehicles had to stop for frightened horses or other domestic animals.
The carriage house contents have changed greatly over the years. Today two 1960s-model automobiles are on display, far cries from the carriages and horses, originally kept here when it was first built. In the intervening years, the structure held many different cars belonging to members of the McFaddin and Ward families. W.PH. McFaddin bought his first car, a sixteen-horsepower Mitchell Touring Car, in July 1907, about the time the carriage house was being built.
In the early 1900s, automobiles and horse-drawn vehicles occupied the same roads. In 1907, the City of Beaumont passed traffic laws to provide for the safety of both: A) Beaumont autos could go only eight miles per hour, though the limit was soon increased to fifteen m.p.h. in town. B) Motor vehicles had to stop for frightened horses or other domestic animals.
Over the years, the McFaddins and Wards bought various makes of cars, some of which are no longer manufactured. In 1911, 10-year-old Caldwell - McFaddin wrote his sister Mamie that "the Packard has come and it is a peach." Mamie's first car, in 1912, was a Cadillac, and in 1918 she bought her "first Buick.'
"When I lived there, they used to take me to Sunday School. I had a little white fur coat, and I would plop myself right in the middle of the back seat. And I felt like I was a princess. It was just simply wonderful." - Mamie White Edson, Ida McFaddin's granddaughter, describing rides in the Pierce-Arrow
In the 1920s and early '30s, Ida McFaddin owned lavender Pierce-Arrow, a genuine luxury car. It had petit point seats, vases, gilt fixtures, privacy glass, and a phone for communicating with the chauffeur. She was a memorable sight when her chauffeur drove her across Texas to organize new chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
"Altogether, a beautiful patrician-a worthy bearer of tradition, which is Pierce-Arrow.' - 1931 Pierce-Arrow advertisement
"The highest accomplishment of the Pierce-Arrow car is found in its availability for restful, comfortable and satisfactory long-distance tours. - 1920s Pierce_Arrow advertisement
Over the years, the McFaddins and Wards bought various makes of cars, some of which are no longer manufactured. In 1911, 10-year-old Caldwell - McFaddin wrote his sister Mamie that "the Packard has come and it is a peach." Mamie's first car, in 1912, was a Cadillac, and in 1918 she bought her "first Buick.'
"When I lived there, they used to take me to Sunday School. I had a little white fur coat, and I would plop myself right in the middle of the back seat. And I felt like I was a princess. It was just simply wonderful." - Mamie White Edson, Ida McFaddin's granddaughter, describing rides in the Pierce-Arrow
In the 1920s and early '30s, Ida McFaddin owned lavender Pierce-Arrow, a genuine luxury car. It had petit point seats, vases, gilt fixtures, privacy glass, and a phone for communicating with the chauffeur. She was a memorable sight when her chauffeur drove her across Texas to organize new chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
"Altogether, a beautiful patrician-a worthy bearer of tradition, which is Pierce-Arrow.' - 1931 Pierce-Arrow advertisement
"The highest accomplishment of the Pierce-Arrow car is found in its availability for restful, comfortable and satisfactory long-distance tours. - 1920s Pierce_Arrow advertisement
Carriage House Garage
