Waco in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Cottonland Castle

Photographed By Larry D. Moore, March 29, 2019

1. The Cottonland Castle Marker

Inscription. Stone contractor John Tennant began this house in 1890, when Waco's cotton-based economy flourished. In 1906 Tennant sold the structure to Ripley Hanrick, a cotton broker, but it remained unfinished. With plans drawn by architect Roy Lane (1884-1956), "The Castle" was eventually completed in 1913 as a residence for businessman Alfred Abeel (1845-1922). Limestone detailing decorates the sandstone edifice. Fine materials such as marble and mahogany embellish the interior. The house later became a focal point for the Castle Heights area.

Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5314.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 31° 32.023′ N, 97° 9.473′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. Marker is at the intersection of Austin Avenue and South 33rd Street, on the right when traveling north on Austin Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3300 Austin Avenue, Waco TX 76710, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Castle Heights (approx. 0.2 miles away); Albert Turner Clifton House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bell's Hill School (approx. 1.1 miles away); Congregation Rodef Sholom

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(approx. 1½ miles away); St. Mary's Church of the Assumption (approx. 1½ miles away); Austin Avenue United Methodist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Columbus Avenue Baptist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Austin Avenue Methodist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waco.

The Cottonland Castle Marker Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry D. Moore, March 29, 2019

2. The Cottonland Castle Marker Area

The Cottonland Castle 2019 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry D. Moore, March 29, 2019

3. The Cottonland Castle 2019

The Cottonland Castle (July 2022) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kayla Harper, July 16, 2022

4. The Cottonland Castle (July 2022)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2019, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,322 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 29, 2019, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. 4. submitted on July 24, 2022, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.