Port Arthur in Jefferson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Pompeiian Villa

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 22, 2020

1. Pompeiian Villa Marker

Inscription.
The last remaining landmark of the "dream city" planned by the founder of Port Arthur, railroad magnate Arthur E. Stilwell (1859-1928). The house was built in 1900 as the winter resort home of Isaac L. Ellwood (1833-1910), the developer of barbed wire. The same year financier John W. "Bet-A-Million" Gates (1855-1911) had a mansion built nearby. It was razed in 1960.

Ellwood sold the villa in 1901 to James Hopkins of St. Louis, who in 1903 sold it to George M. Craig (1862-1950), principal developer of Port Arthur, for 10 per cent of the Texas Company (present Texaco, Inc.). Craig lived here until his death.

Erected 1973 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10553.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 29° 52.954′ N, 93° 55.336′ W. Marker is in Port Arthur, Texas, in Jefferson County. It is on Lakeshore Drive south of Bledsoe Place, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1953 Lakeshore Drive, Port Arthur TX 77640, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Golden Triangle. It is also in the American South, on the Gulf Coast, and in the Piney Woods. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ellwood - Craig House (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Clubhouse of the Federated Women’s Clubs of Port Arthur (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Federated Women's Clubs Of Port Arthur (about 300 feet away); John Warne Gates (about 400 feet away); Vuylsteke House (about 700 feet away); Port Arthur College Radio Tower (approx. 0.3 miles away); Trinity Lutheran Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sparks Settlement Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Arthur.

Also see . . . Museum of Gulf Coast website. (Submitted on June 7, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.)

Pompeiian Villa Marker reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 22, 2020

2. Pompeiian Villa Marker reverse

Pioneers who were here by 1920 and who, personally or through descendants, are preserving this property.

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 22, 2020

3. Pompeiian Villa Marker

Pompeiian Villa image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 22, 2020

4. Pompeiian Villa

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2020. This page has been viewed 621 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on June 7, 2020. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 7, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.