Blake-Beaty-Orton House

The property on which the house stands once belonged to Beaty's grandfather, Thomas Beaty, who owned it from 1843 to 1851. At some point after that, the grandson of famous Texan Stephen Williams (1760-1839), who fought in the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and Texas Revolution, bought the property. It is not clear how long he owned it. Nor is it clear when the next owner, G.W. Blake, acquired the property but was in his possession until he died in 1882. His widow owned it until 1888 when she sold it to John T. Beaty, who proceeded to build the house.

Beaty was an important local and state figure. He studied law and became a successful attorney, and served as Jasper County Sheriff as well. Then from 1901 to 1906, he served three terms as senator in the Texas Legislature from the 14th District. His daughter, Marguerite Beaty Orton (she married local druggist J.M. Orton), lived in the house until 1971, two years before she died. The city then bought the house and restored the property.

"Beaty-Orton House." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed November 5, 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=136277.

Holt, Jaquelyn. "Blake-Beaty-Orton House." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. April 16, 1975. https://catalog.archives.gov/OpaAPI/media/40972659/content/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_TX/75001994.pdf.