Keith Griffin Collection
Scope and Contents
This is a small collection of sixteen photographs and negatives taken by Keith Griffin in 1959. The photographs are of the exterior of the John Henry Phelan mansion on Calder Avenue in Beaumont, Texas.
Dates
- Creation: 1959
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
The Tyrrell Historical Library does not hold copyright for most of its collections. The researcher must secure permission to publish. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to the Tyrrell Historical Library. The researcher assumes full responsibility for complying with copyright, literary property rights, and libel laws.
Historical Note
John Henry Phelan made his fortune with the Spindletop oil discovery before setting about to build the most spectacular house in Beaumont. The house was designed by Atlanta architect, Owen James Trainor Southwell, a childhood friend of Phelan. The $500,000 mansion designed was a nine-bay, two story house of limestone brick with a gabled, tile roof and sat on 28 acres of property. The house was named "Caed Mile Failte," Gaelic for "one hundred thousand welcomes." The estate included a large ballroom, chapel, extensive gardens, guest houses, art studio, miniature golf course, stables, swimming pool, and a $25,000 pipe organ. The estate was given to the Sisters of Charity in January of 1957 and served as a convent house. Today the city has grown around the estate, which is no longer occupied by the Sisters of Charity. The grounds have reduced to a mere 4.5 acres over the years. It is used for weddings and other social engagements.
Extent
1 folders (1 folder, 16 photographs, negatives)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
John Henry Phelan made his fortune with the Spindletop oil discovery before setting about to build the most spectacular house in Beaumont. The house was designed by Atlanta architect, Owen James Trainor Southwell, a childhood friend of Phelan. The $500,000 mansion designed was a nine-bay, two story house of limestone brick with a gabled, tile roof and sat on 28 acres of property. The estate was given to the Sisters of Charity in January of 1957 and served as a convent house. Today the city has grown around the estate, which is no longer occupied by the Sisters of Charity. The grounds have reduced to a mere 4.5 acres over the years. It is used for weddings and other social engagements. This is a small collection of sixteen photographs and negatives taken by Keith Griffin in 1959. The photographs are of the exterior of the John Henry Phelan mansion on Calder Avenue in Beaumont, Texas.
Subject
- Phelan, John Henry, Sr., 1877-1957 (Person)
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Finding Aid for the Keith Griffin Photograph Collection
- Date
- June 24, 2021
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Tyrrell Historical Library Archives Repository
