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Grandeur of Gonzales 26 ABOVE – The formal parlor is centered by a French inspired mantel crowned with an antique mantel clock and original painting by Bette Ward. The custom- made sofa is adorned with pillows crafted from Schumacher fabrics as are the draperies covering the large windows. These are complemented by the colorful Oushak rug and eclectic mix of mahogany Italianate and Georgian furnishings. TOP RIGHT – Front hallway features original parquet flooring and grand staircase. The floor runner was a gift to the owner and was brought from Germany to the US in about 1860. The large antique French mirror sits atop a burled walnut hall table topped with a bronze statue of migrating bighorn sheep. The French chairs flanking the hall table were purchased from the late well-known and respected Gonzales native Myrna McLeroy who inherited them from her mother. BOTTOM RIGHT – The library has a rich masculine ambiance featuring grass cloth covered walls and a jewel toned Oriental rug on the original tiger oak floor. It features comfortable club chairs and an antique leather camel back sofa. The center glass top table is hand crafted from antlers. The large windows covered in draperies tailored from Brunschwig and Fils fabrics are flanked by antique oil paintings of elk circa 1850s. Mule deer and blue quail trophies are from the owner's family ranch in southern New Mexico. Photographs by Albrecht Photography The house was purchased by the Gonzales Warm Springs Foundation for Crippled Children in 1951 and served as a residence for the doctors and nursing staff. They made major interior modifications to the house, adding three bathrooms and upgrading the kitchen facilities to accommodate the hospital staff. Modifications included the sealing up of all but one fireplace and all original fixtures were replaced with modern ones of the period. Wiring was upgraded to modern breakers and central air conditioning was installed. All rooms except the formal parlor, breakfast room and kitchen were converted to bedrooms. The original carriage house was converted into a duplex. When polio was cured, Warm Springs no longer needed such a large staff. It was purchased by Ross Boothe in 1959 who converted the house back into a private residence. The Boothe family opened up two of the fireplaces and made renovations to two of the bathrooms. The original dining room was repurposed as such and many of the rooms and the public areas were carpeted which was the popular decorating style of the times. It remained in the Boothe family until 1998 when it was purchased by Glen Beach. The home had been sealed up for over twenty years and the Beach family opened it back up and made repairs necessary to accommodate their family. In 2000, the home was purchased by Clint Hille and Richard Tiller who named the property Belle Oaks. With the guidance of longtime friend and

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