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73 James William Bailey engaged in farming and raising livestock. The Gonzales Inquirer describes him as being "prudent and skillful in the management of his affairs, and successful in accumulating a considerable estate." At the time of his death he owned 4,000 acres near Big Hill. He became a member of the Gonzales Masonic Lodge and achieved the degree of Royal Arch Mason. The Baileys' modest Queen Anne style home was completed in December 1897. As was typical of that period, the house has cypress siding and longleaf pine interior woodwork. The foundation piers are made of brick manufactured in Gonzales. The front of the house has a softly curving wrap-around porch with a wooden deck, carved columns and matching rails. On the southeast corner is a light tower with fish scale shingles. Four nine- foot walk-through windows provide access to the wrap- around porch, opening from the parlor, the front bedroom and the east bedroom. On the left of the entry hallway are the parlor and the study joined by nine-foot pocket doors with original hardware. Two bedrooms and the parlor have original fireplaces with surrounds and mantels with beveled glass mirrors. Most windows have the original glass and hardware and the interior doors have transoms with functional transom rods. The ceilings throughout the house are twelve feet high. A family room and bathroom were added to the back of the home in 1950 by J.C. Mullens. The house was bought in 1993 by Paul and Victoria Frenzel who restored it, and acquired the marker stating that the home is a "Texas Historical Commission Recorded Texas Historic Landmark" in 1996. J.W. BAILEY HOUSE 623 St. Michael Street BOTTOM LEFT: The front parlor of the home has been restored to its original grandeur including the oak fireplace mantel. It includes an antique Victorian parlor set with matching furnishings. BOTTOM CENTER – The center parlor is utilized as a study where the owners' vast collection of books on Texas History are displayed. BOTTOM RIGHT– On display in the dining room is Texas historic memorabilia as well as portraits of the owner's ancestors. Photographs by Tre Dunham, Fine Focus Photography

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