The Woodson House

The Temple Daily Telegram reported in July 1914 that “Temple is fast becoming a city of fine residences within the past year. Dr. Woodson, W. A. Barclay, A.L. Flint residences have been built, each costing over fifteen thousand dollars and before another year rolls around there will be two others costing over this sum.” The Woodson Home, nicknamed The Chinese Mansion, was completed by the end of 1915, and still stands as a reflection of the Woodsons’ world travels in its eclectic architectural design.

James Madison Woodson was born in Oak Hill, Alabama, but his family moved to Milam County, Texas, when he was two years old. Following in the footsteps of his father, Woodson attended medical school, and upon the completion of his studies, partnered and practiced in Temple with his father, Dr. William M. Woodson. In 1905, he took charge of the eye, ear, nose, and throat department of the newly-organized Scott and White Hospital.

In 1892 he married Anna Maria Burbank of New Orleans, Louisiana. After moving to Temple, Mrs. Woodson became active in civic affairs, including charter membership in the Women’s Study Club, Arno Art League, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Colonial Dames. She was active in the Parent-Teachers Association and taught a children’s Sunday School class.

Construction on the Woodson home began in 1914 in North Park, an area outside the city limits of Temple. While visiting her sister, Memie Burbank DeSilva in Rock Island, Illinois, Mrs. Woodson was intrigued by the design elements of the Robert Wagner house and hired a well-known Chicago-area architect, Olof Z. Cervin, to create her dream home.

The style of the house was described as a blend of prairie and Oriental craftsman style with a mix of elements from Danish, Spanish, Mexican, and Egyptian Revival designs. It was originally called a “Japanese villa” because of its Oriental elements including pagoda-style rooftops, Japanese-galley dining room, and fishpond/fountain in the foyer. However, during World War II, the name was changed to ‘Chinese mansion’ to avoid association with the enemy country.

The floor plan was 18,000 square feet, including a 3,600 square-foot basement which housed a 10,000-gallon cistern to collect rainwater. All the main rooms branched from the central atrium, and there were forty rooms in all. There were seven bedrooms and four and one-half baths, a drawing room, tearoom, sun parlor, library, and patio. A full ballroom with fifty windows was located on the top floor. Cervin may have been the first to use reinforced concrete in buildings, and he employed such in the foundation and outer walls of the house which were 18-inches thick. The home was steam heated and cooled.

Mrs. Woodson was a gardening enthusiast and created a unique space spanning four acres on what is now the area from West Lamar Avenue to West Nugent, between North 13th Street to North 11th Street. Miniature pagodas, a buddha statue, and bamboo gave the area an exotic feel. An outdoor amphitheater provided a space for the Woodsons’ theatrical productions.

The Woodsons held an open house on New Year’s Day of 1915. In attendance was a “full contingent of their friendship list” as well as Mrs. Woodson’s sister, Mrs. Joseph DeSilva of Rock Island, Illinois, who made her first Temple visit. According to the Temple Daily Telegram’s society column, “from 2 until 6 callers were in an unbroken line of presentation while the passage through the rooms was a continuous compliment to the new home and to the bon esprit of the occasion. The processional was made upstairs and down, members of the house party having been assigned to escort the guests from the basement following the olden idea of the blessing of the home with the good wishes of friends left everywhere.” Following a brief rest, the festivities resumed with the younger set enjoying a dancing party led by Palmer and Jamie Woodson and their cousin, Miss Mary Burbank. A grand march led to the basement where an orchestra and high spirits contributed to “an evening of exuberant pleasure.”

The Woodson house became a social and civic center for the town, opened frequently to guests for parties but also for church and club meetings and cultural offerings. On July 4, 1915, a dance was held to honor guests of Miss Mary Burbank who returned home from school. The newspaper described the exotic setting: “Conditions ideal for the summer dance are presented by the J.M. Woodson house in North Park with its broad tiled verandas, the great elevation which permits the sweep of refreshing night winds, its rare beauty of surroundings including palm and fountain rooms, the most enticing spots imaginable for the tete-a-tete. Firefly lanterns were hung and the punch bowl with sandwiches placed.”

Dr. Woodson died in 1930, and Mrs. Woodson remained in the home until her death in 1962. The family sold the home in 1964. The home is currently owned by Gary Gosney, a Temple veterinarian. The Temple Historic Preservation Committee recognized the house as a landmark in 2010.

Bell County Historical Commission. Story of Bell County, s.v. “Woodson, James Madison.” Austin: Eakin Press, 1988.

"Building Work Brisk.” Temple Daily Telegram, June 10, 1914.

“Dr. and Mrs. J.M. Woodson Keep Open House.” Temple Daily Telegram, January 3, 1915.

Glasscock, Todd. “A Touch of the Exotic; ‘Chinese Mansion’ a Mix of Styles, Architectural Design.” Temple Daily Telegram, May 15, 2005.

“Members of Young Set Have Dance in Woodson Home.” Temple Daily Telegram, July 4, 1915.

Schramm, Rusty. “Gosney Mansion.” Temple Daily Telegram, June 12, 2015.