Colonel Alfred Horatio Belo a Confederate veteran and newspaper magnate. His legacy is etched into this very plaque. Before you stands the A H Belo House Plaque a testament to a remarkable life and a pivotal era in Dallas history. This plaque marks the site of the grand mansion built circa 1900 for Colonel Belo founder of The Dallas Morning News.
The A H Belo House was more than just a residence. It was a center of Dallas society. The Belos hosted lavish gatherings. Their home reflected their prominent position. This wasn’t just any house. It was the epitome of elegance on Ross Avenue. Imagine the elegant parties filled with prominent figures of the time. The house itself designed by Herbert M Greene showcased Neoclassical architecture. It reflected the Belos’ wealth and status. It even boasted the first telephones in Texas.
The family lived in this impressive mansion until 1922. Colonel Belo died in 1901. His son followed him in 1906. His widow Nettie continued to reside there. She lived with her son daughter-in-law and granddaughters. After her death in 1913 Helen Ponder Belo and her daughters stayed until the family moved back to North Carolina.
For nearly fifty years following the family’s departure the A H Belo House served a very different purpose. It became the Loudermilk-Sparkman Funeral Home. This period brought significant renovations. A chapel was added. Window sashes were replaced. The exterior was painted white a stark contrast to its original appearance.
The Dallas Bar Foundation acquired the A H Belo House in 1977. They meticulously restored the mansion. They added a pavilion in 2003. Today the building hosts weddings corporate events and social gatherings. It stands as a living monument. A testament to a prominent family. The plaque ensures that the story of the A H Belo House is not forgotten. This place remains a powerful reminder of Dallas’ past. Its connection to Colonel Belo and his influential newspaper. The A H Belo House Plaque provides a glimpse into this rich and complicated legacy.