Roswell in Chaves County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Home of the James Phelps White Family

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 9, 2023

1. Home of the James Phelps White Family Marker

Inscription. Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, contractor David Young Tomlinson began construction on this house in 1910 and completed it in 1912, the same year New Mexico became a state. Taking cues from Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie-style design, the home has gentle sloping roofs of various levels with deep overhangs and large porches. Originally, the roofing material of the home and the carriage house to the rear of the property was pressed tin but was changed to red clay tile in the early 1920's, around the same time the auto garage was built. The James Phelps White family occupied the house for 64 years. In 1976 the White heirs donated the home and property to the Chaves County Historical Society, now renamed the Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico, to serve as its headquarters and as a turn-of-the-century house museum.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Frank Lloyd Wright, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location. 33° 23.685′ N, 104° 31.748′ W. Marker is in Roswell, New Mexico, in Chaves County. It is on North Lea Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 N Lea Ave, Roswell NM 88201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s Pecos Valley. It is also in the American Southwest

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Roswell and the New Deal (approx. 0.3 miles away); John Simpson Chisum (approx. 0.4 miles away); Roswell’s First General Store and Post Office (approx. 0.4 miles away); Humble Beginnings (approx. 0.4 miles away); Roswell Pioneer Plaza (approx. 0.4 miles away); Continental Oil Company Station 1 (approx. 0.4 miles away); New Mexico Navy Veterans Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Roswell's Military Institutes (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roswell.

Regarding Home of the James Phelps White Family. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:

Construction of the house was begun in 1910 and completed in 1912. … The James Phelps White House in Roswell is a fine example of early twentieth century residential construction. It is particularly significant because White was a prominent New Mexico rancher and an important force in the development of southeastern New Mexico.…

In 1881 … White purchased for [Maj. George W.] Littlefield the Bosque Grande Ranch 30 miles north of Roswell along the Pecos River in New Mexico, formerly owned by pioneer cattleman John Chisum. This operation, known as the LFD, was the beginning of a vast ranching enterprise which grew into one of the most important
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 9, 2023

2. National Register of Historic Places Plaque
in the state. … After acquisition of the Four Lakes Ranch, the LFD range extended from the Pecos River on the west to the Texas-New Mexico state line on the east, a distance of about 85 miles, and from Kenna on the north to Monument Spring on the south, approximately 90 miles.…

The house in which White lived for over twenty years and where his wife continued to live until her death in 1972 … was built by David Young Tomlinson, Mrs. White's father, who had been a contractor in Fort Worth before coming to Roswell, and is said to have been patterned after a house in Fort Worh.

Also see . . . James Phelps White House (PDF). National Register nomination for the house, which was listed in 1978. (Prepared by Sylvia L. Cook, New Mexico State Planning Office; via National Archives) (Submitted on November 1, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 9, 2023

3. Home of the James Phelps White Family Marker

James Phelps White House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 9, 2023

4. James Phelps White House

It is now the Historical Center for Southeast New Mexico.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 902 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 1, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.