The Bryan House
The historic Bryan House in McAllen, Texas, has been there for more than a hundred years. William Jennings Bryan, a well-known businessman in McAllen, built the house in 1909. Since then, it has been a part of the city’s history and culture, housing several well-known families and being the site of many social events.
The Bryan House was built during a time when McAllen grew and changed a lot. The city had just become a railroad hub, so its population was growing quickly. Many of the city’s most important people, including Bryan, knew they needed big, fancy homes that showed off their wealth and status.
The house was built in the Classical Revival style, which was popular in the United States at the end of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th. Classical elements like columns, pediments, and balustrades were used to make the style look grand. With its grand entrance portico, fluted columns, and fancy ironwork, the Bryan House has all of these features.
William Jennings Bryan and his family were the first people to live in the Bryan House. At the time, Bryan was a well-known person in McAllen. He had made a lot of money in the lumber business. He was also involved in politics and was a well-known speaker. While President Woodrow Wilson was in office, he was the Secretary of State.
In the early 1920s, the DeLeon family bought the house after Bryan and his family had moved out. The DeLeons made a lot of changes to the house, such as adding a second floor and a new roof. They also gave the property a swimming pool and other amenities. Before selling the house to the Crixells in the 1950s, the DeLeons lived there for many years.
The Crixells also did a lot of work on the property. For example, they added a ballroom. The ballroom was a popular place for weddings, parties, and other social events in McAllen. The Crixell family lived in the house until the city of McAllen bought it in the 1970s.
In the 1970s, the city of McAllen turned the Bryan House into a museum. The house was fixed up to look like it did when it was first built, and many of the original furnishings and decorations were kept. Today, people who visit the Bryan House can look around its many rooms, such as the formal dining room, the music room, and the library.
With its big table and fancy chandelier, the formal dining room is one of the most beautiful rooms in the house. With its grand piano and old furniture, the music room is also interesting. Visitors can learn about the history of McAllen and the Bryan family by looking at the original books and documents in the library.
Aside from being an important part of McAllen’s history, the Bryan House has also been an important part of the city’s cultural life. The house has been the site of many parties, weddings, and charity events over the years. The Crixell family added a ballroom to the house, which is often used for events because of its elegant chandeliers and hardwood floors.
Several cultural groups in McAllen are also based in the Bryan House. The McAllen Heritage Center is in the house’s carriage house. Its goal is to keep the city’s history and culture alive and spread the word about it. The center has displays, talks, and other events all year long.
Overall, the Bryan House is an important part of the history and culture of McAllen. It is a must-see for tourists in the city because of its beautiful architecture, long history, and cultural importance. Whether you like history or not,