Houses photography (Beaumont, Tex.)

Abstract The Beaumont Chamber of Commerce was organized on January 22, 1903, at a meeting attended by at least 165 people shortly after the Lucas Oil gusher was discovered in 1901. The subsequent activity at the Spindletop Hill oil field brought increased population and interest to the city, necessitating a chamber of commerce. The Chamber has been instrumental in the promotion and development of Beaumont and its industry, including the Port of Beaumont and the deep water (Neches River) shipping...

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...

Abstract

Roy H. Towell, Jr. (1915-1996) was a local businessman in Beaumont, Texas. As an avid photographer, he took numerous photographs of parades, social events, and other topics of interest to him that occurred both in Beaumont and Houston. This collection consists of slides, photographs, and textual material that relate to his business and photography interest in the community in which he was a long-time resident.