Bellville in Austin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
John Bell Lewis Home
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 15, 2026
1. John Bell Lewis Home Marker
Influential Austin County resident John Bell Lewis (1845-1920) was born on a plantation near Coffeeville, Alabama. His grandmother Betty Washington Lewis was George Washington's sister. Lewis grew up near present Winedale, Texas, and served the Confederate army in several major Civil War battles.
During Reconstruction Lewis served as sheriff of Austin County and helped restore law and order to the area. While performing the sheriff's duties as county tax collector, he saw the need for a local bank. He helped found Bellville First National Bank and Austin County State Bank. When Lewis heard that Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad planned to bypass Bellville, he persuaded landowners to donate right-of-way for the line and was instrumental in getting the railroad through Bellville.
Lewis acquired this property about 1874. The next year, architect J. J. Stopple built this home which displays a transitional style between the Greek Revival and the more ornate Victorian. Lewis shared the residence with his widowed sister and her son. In 1879 Lewis married Mollie Bell Ervin and their children grew up here.
Lewis is
this page online
Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3079.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.
Location. 29° 56.946′ N, 96° 15.573′ W. Marker is in Bellville, Texas, in Austin County. It is at the intersection of South Masonic Street and W Lewis Street, on the left when traveling north on South Masonic Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 232 Masonic St, Bellville TX 77418, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. 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: Early History of Bellville Methodist Church (about 300 feet away,
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 15, 2026
2. John Bell Lewis Home and marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 17, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
