Tuesday, September 17, 2024
At 226 E. Pearl St. stands a beauty that has weathered the tests of time and transformation. The Baker-Carmichael House, a historic gem nestled just off Granbury’s downtown square, is in the midst of a significant restoration as it prepares to embark on a new chapter. This architectural marvel, built in 1905, has witnessed a fascinating evolution, reflecting the growth of Granbury and the personal stories of its inhabitants.
Originally commissioned by Jess Baker, a prominent local merchant, banker and state representative, the house was built for an estimated cost of $18,000. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation calculator, $18,000 in 1905 is approximately equivalent to $650,000 in 2024 dollars.
The house’s design harmoniously combines Queen Anne charm with Classical Revival features. It includes a distinctive corner turret, a formal portico with two-story columns, and a wraparound porch, making it one of Granbury’s most notable examples of high style architecture.
Following Baker’s passing in 1921, the residence found new life under the ownership of Dr. Archibald Carmichael, a respected local physician. Dr. Carmichael and his wife, Dora, were devoted to preserving the home’s grandeur and original elegance while updating it with modern conveniences. The house’s early innovations were electricity, indoor plumbing and telephone service, which set it apart as a model of contemporary living.
David and Claudia Southern, drawn to Baker-Carmichael’s rich history, bought the property in 1985. Claudia Southern remembers their deep affection for the house, noting they had fallen in love with it while it was still a restaurant. The previous owners, John and Janna Duty, were running the restaurant while raising their young children — a son and twins — and they were ready to sell.
In addition to running a restaurant, the Southerns also operated a business called Southern Concepts where they worked with individuals who were developmentally and intellectually disabled. Claudia Southern revealed that this was their primary focus. She explained she was spending most of her time at the restaurant and neglecting their main business. Eventually, they decided to close the restaurant, allowing their family more privacy and space.
Southern’s daughter, Alison Southern-Ullom recalled the house originally had a restaurant on the ground floor, with a living area upstairs divided into three rooms, including only one bathroom. There was also a half-bath downstairs with the restaurant. She noted that the hardwood floors and front stairs are original. Additionally, the house features a small wooden panel that, when opened, reveals the original fuse box.
The house was a bed-and-breakfast for a short time around 1996, called the Carmichael Inn. “Now, that’s when Dad converted the carriage house rooms for additional rooms and when the bathroom was added,” Ullom said.
Southern, a strong advocate for local historical preservation, sought to have the house recognized as both a Texas and a national landmark. To achieve this, she needed to apply to the Texas Historical Commission and the National Historical Commission. Historian Mary Saltarelli assisted with the process, meticulously managing the application. Saltarelli gathered and prepared the necessary documentation for submission to the commissions.
“My dad and mom did a very smart thing,” Ullom said. “They invited Laura Bush to dedicate the house with its National Marker and told her that she could bring her husband along if she wanted to.”
Then Texas Gov. George W. Bush and his wife Laura paid a special visit for the Baker-Carmichael’s dedication as it was honored with Texas State Historical and National Historical markers in 1996, making it one of only three properties in Granbury listed on the National Register.
David Southern served on the Granbury City Council and then as mayor until 2010. “Well, David and I were very committed to the City of Granbury. I still do things for the city as he did until he died in 2022. Alison’s husband, Zeb Ullom, will be a councilman in November. He’s taking over from Steven Vale,” said Southern.
Southern shared that her husband would be “very, very proud” to see Zeb Ullom living in the city. She and her family continue to be active in local governance, volunteering on city boards and commissions. Claudia also contributes to other community organizations, such as Ruth’s Place, and is involved with Kiwanis and the Historic Commission.
Although Southern retired about eight years ago, she and her daughter Alison Ullom, who works alongside her in real estate, are committed to honoring the house’s legacy. “We’re dedicated to preserving the historical essence of the house and contributing to our community,” Southern said.
The Baker-Carmichael’s restoration journey took a challenging turn in January 2023 when a pipe burst during a freeze, causing significant structural damage. “The rupture cracked the joists, and if we didn’t address it, the ceiling would have caved in,” Ullom explained.
The restoration, funded by insurance, involves extensive repairs to the joists, addressing wood rot on the exterior, and preserving the original hardwood floors and front stairs. “We had to repaint the house to prevent it from looking like a Dalmatian,” Ullom joked, referring to the extensive touch-up work needed for the faded paint.
Restoration work continues with a focus on finalizing interior repairs and updating structural elements affected by the recent damage. “Old copper pipes leaked, which has happened over the years. You get up there, you fix it, you do drywall, whatever you need to do.
“But this time, it cracked the joists. We had an issue whereby if we did not redo the whole thing, like the ceiling part — the floors didn’t have to be redone — the ceiling was going to cave in and take the upstairs floors with it. That was not a good plan. These historic homes are built with wood and feature pier and beam construction.”
Southern and Ullom addressed all the wood rot on the exterior and, to ensure a uniform appearance, stripped the house down before repainting it. Throughout the restoration, the home’s historical integrity has been a priority, and efforts have been made to maintain its original paint colors and architectural features.
“The front parlor is my favorite room,” Southern shared. “We have two fireplaces, one in the front parlor and one in the back parlor. The front parlor has a bay window. It was originally the music room with a piano.” She added, “It was a parlor where the ladies went after dinner when the gentlemen were going to smoke in the back parlor and have a drink.”
Once a music room with a grand piano, the front parlor will retain its intricate woodwork adorned with treble clefs, while the charming porch and balcony remain cherished features. “Mom and Dad used it as a sitting room,” said Ullom. “And I’m going to put my piano in there, so it will be a music room again. But I also really, really love — and you can’t beat it — the porch and the balcony.”
As the restoration nears completion, the house’s historical integrity remains a top priority. When Zeb and Alison Ullom and their children, Alex and Andrew Southern, move in, the Baker-Carmichael House will once again be bustling with activity.
The Baker-Carmichael House remains a testament to Granbury’s rich history and its owners’ dedication to preserving the past for future generations. With its graceful architecture and storied history, it continues to be a symbol of both historical significance and community pride, ready to enchant future generations with its timeless charm.
