Woodworth House (Rose Hill Manor)

The Woodworth House (also known as Rose Hill Manor) was built in 1906 for R.H. Woodworth. Woodworth moved to Port Arthur soon after Arthur E. Stilwell, President of the Kansas City Southern Railroad organized a town site company to settle the area in 1896. Woodworth became involved in banking business and served as Port Arthur’s third mayor, elected in 1902. The home was built to reflect his position as a business and social leader in Port Arthur. In 1947, Woodworth’s daughter Phebe, gave the mansion to the city to be maintained by the Department Club of Port Arthur, an organization that her mother was actively involved in.

President of the Kansas City Southern Railroad, Arthur E. Stilwell organized a town site company to settle Port Arthur in 1896. Not long after, R.H. Woodworth and his wife Mary moved to Port Arthur from Chicago. They built their first home on Nashville Avenue.

Woodworth worked as an independent real estate dealer. He left this career for the banking business. In 1902 he served as Port Arthur’s third mayor. In 1906 he hired J.H. Baxter of the Griffing Lumber Company to build the classical revival mansion. At the time, the property was located on the edge of town. The completed mansion reflected Woodworth’s position as a business and social leader in Port Arthur. It was here the Woodworth’s raised their children George and Phebe and entertained their friends.

Mary Woodworth worked as a director of the First National Bank. She was also active in the Department Club of Port Arthur. In 1947, upon her mother’s wishes, Phebe gave the mansion to the city to be cared for by the Department Club. The structure is maintained a place for different groups in the community to meet. It is also used as a center for social and cultural events.

n 1896 Arthur E. Stilwell, president of the Kansas City Southern Railroad, organized a townsite company to settle Port Arthur. Soon afterward, R. H. Woodworth (d. 1923) moved here from Chicago with his bride Mary (d. 1946). They erected their first home on Nashville Avenue. An independent real estate dealer, Woodworth later entered the banking business. He served as Port Arthur's third mayor in 1902. He hired J. H. Baxter of the Griffing Lumber Company to construct this classical revival mansion in 1906. This property was then located on the edge of town. When it was completed, the residence reflected Woodworth's position as a business and social leader. Here the Woodworths raised their children, George and Phebe, and often entertained friends. Mrs. Woodworth served as a director of the First National Bank and was active in the Department Club of Port Arthur. In accordance with her wishes, her daughter Phebe gave Rose Hill to the city in 1947 to be cared for by the Department Club. The elegant structure is maintained as a meeting place for various community groups and as a center for social and cultural events.

"Woodworth House (Rose Hill)." Texas Historical Marker - Woodworth House (Rose Hill). Web. 2 Aug. 2015.