History of the Home
The house is steeped in colorful Texas history. It was built in 1912 by Clement Newton Bassett, who in 1861 became one of Terry's Texas Rangers, the eighth Texas Cavalry in the Civil War. Clem was wounded three times during the war and was commended for bravery. He was known as quite a character because of the number of six guns that he toted. He had two in his belt, two in his boots, and two in his saddlebags. Toward the end of the Civil War, a bullet went into his brain requiring surgery in the field. He suffered the effects of this injury for the next 20 years. History describes Clem Bassett as a fearless fighter who was a dead shot with his 6 six-guns. A true Texas legend!
Clem Bassett built the home in 1912 for himself and his wife, Libbie Mitchell Bassett, daughter of prominent lawyer John C. Mitchell. Clem died two years later, but Libby continued to live in the home until she passed away in 1941. Clem and Libby's daughter, Eleanor Bassett Williams lived in the home with her daughter Elizabeth Williams until the 1960's.
The home was then purchased by Penny and Bernard Shaffer and Penny lived in the home until 2004.
In 2004 it was purchased by the current owners with plans to furthur restore it. Theyspent two years restoring the home to its original glory, and added gardens and gazebos, one of them made mostly from lumber, pillars and railings left over from the house. Retirement, and family issues forced them to decide to sell the manor.
Clem Bassett built the home in 1912 for himself and his wife, Libbie Mitchell Bassett, daughter of prominent lawyer John C. Mitchell. Clem died two years later, but Libby continued to live in the home until she passed away in 1941. Clem and Libby's daughter, Eleanor Bassett Williams lived in the home with her daughter Elizabeth Williams until the 1960's.
The home was then purchased by Penny and Bernard Shaffer and Penny lived in the home until 2004.
In 2004 it was purchased by the current owners with plans to furthur restore it. Theyspent two years restoring the home to its original glory, and added gardens and gazebos, one of them made mostly from lumber, pillars and railings left over from the house. Retirement, and family issues forced them to decide to sell the manor.