The Texas County Genealogical and Historical Society met July 11 at the Leavitt House. Jackie Leavitt Bullock was able to attend and provide many interesting stories of her life while living there. The house was built in 1893 by Jackie’s grandfather, Albert Eugene Leavitt. His wife was Elizabeth Hyer, called Bettie. She was the daughter of the presiding judge of Greene County and also was a member of the House of Representatives. The house was built without electricity and was 15 years after it was built before electricity was brought into the house in 1908.
Visitors could drive through the buggy port to alight on the wraparound porch and go directly into the parlor. The parlor and living areas are joined by an archway that can be closed off by huge pocket doors. The fireplace and mantel are of black marble with a large mirror on the top. All guests were permitted to go upstairs to view the beautiful turret room Jackie used for her room. She recalled Christmas as a wonderful time with the house decorated and a large tree in the front room. Passers-by will notice a large gray stone rock in front of the house. Jackie’s grandmother, Bettie, had someone haul it from the river by horse and buggy. Along the drive there stood six Norway Spruce trees. They stood 70 fooy high. In 2003, they were 100 years old. They would still be standing if not for a terrible wind storm experienced a few years ago. At that time, the trees were blown over and into the house causing a massive amount of damage inside and out.
At one time Texas County was open range and the lawn had a fence around it to keep livestock out. A.E. and Bettie had three children: Jenny, Roscoe and Floyd. Roscoe was Jackie’s father. In 1927, Bettie was crossing the road in front of the house and struck by an auto. She died of her injuries in a Springfield hospital on her 76th birthday. The funeral was at the home on the wraparound porch. There was a large gathering on the lawn for the service. A.E. or Albert lived 14 more years after her death. The house stands as the first on a street that was called “Silk Stocking Row” because of the other stately houses built on this street. This house is 121 years old. It is painted pale yellow with white trim as originally thought to be. It was a fun afternoon to visit and tour this beautiful home.
—reported by Dorothy Hammond