prisclynn

portable chain link 4 or 5 feet tall.

I passed by there today and it looks like work is being done. There was plywood outside along with the chain link fence.

The photos are great Pris, but, speaking just for myself, I really wish you hadn't done this. I don't think it's a terrific idea for the world to know how easy it was for you to get into the West mansion. That story is now "out there" on the Internet, complete with photographic evidence.

I hope others with motives that are, shall we say, not as pure as yours, won't see it and decide to go in and take some of the expensive antique fixtures and sell them on the antiques black market.

Things like that really do happen, and there really is a black market for architectural antiques from famous old houses, buildings and even old graveyards. The Fayette County Judge told me last year that in recent years they've been forced to beef up sheriff's department patrols around the famous Painted Churches that dot the countryside in that area.

He said in recent years several of the beautiful old churches have been broken into and many 19th century paintings and statues have been stolen. They caught three guys in the act one day a couple of years ago in the Dubina community near Weimar. A deputy drove up and caught them loading a U-Haul truck with stuff from the church. The judge said he thinks it may be due in part to all the publicity the Painted Churches get in newspapers and on television around the state. Publicity is a double edged sword.

Let us hope the same doesn't happen at the West mansion, and that the new owners will take steps to secure the place, and soon.

I have nothing to say other than..I have taken them off.

Prisclynn, here's a link to a pdf article on the house........

http://www.houseandhomeonline.com/home/doc...pp_0207_hou.pdf

the last picture (page 2) on the bottom left hand side is the palm room. You'll recognize the floor and the fireplace's art deco freize on the left side of the picture.

Ah yes...I see it now. I'm wondering if the ceiling was damaged that they had to cover it with tiles. The ceiling in the ballroom still looks the same though...loved the wooden beams.

Those are great! Thanks Prisclynn. I can't stand the 1968 Rice remodel wallpaper. It's also a shame that Rice had the dropped celing put in the Palm Room. I wonder if the zuggurat style celing is still there, underneath those dropped tiles?

You are welcome guys and gals. I agree, the wall paper in the bathrooms were ugly. The Palm Room? Which floor is that on? I dont remember ceiling tiles.

Martha and everyone, I would try to find some parking at the existing condos and walk while I can. I live in Fort Worth, and can't come down until October. I would like to take at least 100 pictures when I do come down. I would like to take at least 4 pictures of every room, more detailed pics of the 'deco decorations that remain, and pictures of the entrance facade, porte cochere, and the facade you see when you pull up. The facade that faces NASA 1 is over photographed. In addition, I'm having copies of the plans made for my birthday, since I collect floor plans.

Thanks Prisclynn..........those are awesome! That made my day!

A few more....enjoy

I just hope that the developer does the mansion justice. Now, I'm trying Rice's library to see if I can dig anything up on the house.

Hi John,

I did find a few more shots....enjoy

Just beautiful Here are a few I've taken...enjoy.

I am new to this forum and well...to Houston as well. I first want to start off as saying thank you. I have always wondered about this property and I had no idea of it's history. I was walking about one day and I ran across it. With so much this house has to offer it would be such a huge misatke to let it be demolished. Again...thanks for the information.