L. A. and Adelheid Machemehl House facts for kids
The L. A. and Adelheid Machemehl House is a special historic home in Bellville, Texas. It was built a long time ago, in the early 1900s. This house was a very important place for the German Texan community. Many fun parties and gatherings happened here. It is now recognized as a Texas Historical Landmark.
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The Machemehl Family's Texas Journey
The Machemehl family came to Texas in 1849. Johann Machemehl (1816–1880) and his father, Michael Machemehl, led the family. They settled in the Bellville area of Austin County, Texas. Johann was a smart man who went to university. He used to be a forester, someone who manages forests, in a city called Annaberg in Germany.
Johann Machemehl's Life in Texas
Johann's first wife, Henrietta (1814–1850), passed away in Texas in 1850. She is buried at the Machemehl Cemetery. Johann married two more times and had four more children. He passed away in 1880 and is also buried in the family cemetery.
Paul Machemehl and the Civil War
Johann's son, Paul Machemehl (1845–1932), is famous for something important. During the American Civil War, many German Texans did not want to fight. They felt it was not their war. Paul Machemehl helped many of them travel to Mexico to avoid the conflict. Records about this can be found in the Eula and David Wintermann Library.
Louis and Adelheid Machemehl's Contributions
Paul's son, Louis A. Machemehl (1881–1952), was a respected leader in the German Texan community. He was also a rancher and helped people buy and sell land and cattle. Louis married Adelheid Reichardt (1882–1949) from Cat Springs. Her father, Charles Reichardt, was a farmer who passed away before Adelheid was born.
Charles W. Machemehl, a War Hero
Louis and Adelheid's son, Charles W. Machemehl (1922–2005), was a brave soldier. He fought in Europe during World War II. He earned several medals for his courage, including two Bronze Stars and a Silver Star. By the end of the war, he was a captain. He even worked for a famous general, Matthew B. Ridgeway.
The Machemehl House: Design and Location
In 1920, Louis A. Machemehl hired a famous architect named Alfred C. Finn. Finn designed the L.A. and Adelheid Machemehl House in Bellville, Texas. The house has a unique style called "Airplane Bungalow". It has one and a half stories.
A Porch for Parties
A big, wrap-around porch is a special feature of the house. The upstairs part of the house is set back behind this porch. This porch was a very popular spot for parties and social events. Young people in the community would gather there for dances. They would listen to music played on a Victrola, an old type of record player.
Surroundings and History
The house looks out towards the historic German Texan town of Cat Springs. Today, large oak and magnolia trees grow around the house. It is located about one and a half miles from the town square. The architect's original drawings of the house are kept at the Houston Public Library. The Machemehl family owned this landmark until 1953.
Awards and Recognition for the House
- The Machemehl House was officially recognized as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1992.
- It also won the "Best Front Porch Award" from Arrington's Bed and Breakfast Journal.
