Friday, November 4, 2016

Around Town

I love my little town....well, it used to be little.  It's really grown over the years, I guess that's a good thing but I sure miss the good ol' days.


I live up the street and to the right!


The high school stadium is so close to my house we can sit on the back porch and hear the games on Friday nights.


This is the entrance to the Baytown La Porte Tunnel.  Years ago we had to go through this tunnel to get to our neighboring town. 

Fred Hartman Bridge
The tunnel has been gone for about 20 years, now we have the Fred Hartman Bridge.

Ross Sterling Mansion aka The Texas White House

Built as a second home for former Texas Governor Ross Sterling and his family, the historic Ross Sterling Mansion overlooking Galveston Bay near La Porte, Texas.  The 2 story Georgian estate features 21,000 sq. feet.  When completed in 1927, it was said to be Texas’ largest residence.  The plan for the residence came to Alfred C. Finn, the architect of the home, in 1924.  Preserved in Time, the current non-profit owners of the estate, say that the home’s facade is designed to be similar to that of the White House of the United State, but 2/5’s the size!  Governor Sterling knew exactly what he wanted; he simply showed Finn, the architect, a picture of the White House and basically told Finn to make it happen.  And that he did.

The 9 bedroom/15 bath mansion features 34 rooms including a ball room, billiards room, bowling alley, 300 seat dining room, and much more lavish interior amenities and designs.  The Sterling’s donated the mansion to charity in 1946, 3 years before Ross Sterling would pass away.  The residence holds a Historic Marker.

The mansion is just down the road a ways from our home.

All of today's pictures were taken from the internet.

Linking with Deb at Breathing in Grace



Deb is celebrating the one year anniversary of Friday Foto Friends, come on over and join the party!!


Until Next Time


13 comments:

  1. The mansion is wonderful to see and I do love the bridge! Bittersweet to see small towns change, isn't it? The first home John and I lived in was within walking distance of the elem. and high schools I attended. We could hear the band practice and the football games clearly! Wishing you a very nice day, Mary.

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  2. Great photos Mary especially the Hartman bridge and Sterling mansion. I live in a small town of 2,000. It's a pretty town and hasn't changed much in the 53 years I first came up to visit except a few more houses, better roads and a few more families. Have a day of blessings my friend.

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  3. Super pictures. I love the bridge. They recently built a similar one over Lake lewisville. Thank you for your prayers.

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  4. I've seen the Mansion. It is beautiful as is most of the area around you! I'm an East Texas girl, dislocated to Oklahoma! I sure miss small town Texas!

    Grace & Peace,
    Pam

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  5. I love seeing where people call home! The bridge looks beautiful all lit up.
    I think it would be wonderful to hear the games on a Friday night.
    Happy weekend!

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  6. Such great pics to give a tour of your "little" town. I've gotta ask...how long is that tunnel? I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be visiting that neighboring town very often. LOL Thanks, sweet Friend, for being such a faithful follower and linking up each week. HOPE you and Mr. D have a great weekend.

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  7. Such a magnificient mansion! I love to peak inside places like that. My favorite is the Henry Flagler one in Palm Beach Florida. I think I'd much rather travel over the bridge than go through the tunnel. :)

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  8. That bridge is so pretty, and the mansion !
    Have a blessed weekend!

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  9. I love also the nice bridge. Very nice.

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  10. I love these interesting pictures of your town. A very lovely place! The mansion is very unique, even if it is similar to the White House! And that bridge...wow! Is the tunnel completely gone? I was a bulldog in my high school too! My favorite mascot!! Our colors were red and white! I know you enjoy hearing the games from your house. That would be cool. Does your school have a marching band? Loved the pictures. Blessings to you today.

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    1. Our colors are orange and white. We do have a marching band, I love sitting on the porch in the late afternoon and hearing them practice.

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  11. How interesting!! I can see what you mean about a small town growing to big! Wow!

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