International Inspiration
Photos by WES ALBANESE
Situated on four acres in North Temple is a 18,500-square-foot home christened as the Woodson House, owned by Dr. Gary Gosney, a Temple veterinarian.
The home‘s original occupants were Dr. James and Anna Woodson. Dr. Woodson was an ear, nose and throat specialist for King’s Daughters and Scott and White hospitals. The home construction took place over a three-year period around 1910. Mrs. Woodson supervised the project with the lead architect Olof Cervin.
During the construction of the home they had to excavate down 25-feet to get to bedrock,” Dr. Gosney said. “They poured so much concrete that the builder refused to begin construction until it had cured for a solid year.”
Gosney said the exterior of the home uses road pavers and portland cement rather than brick and mortar, an element that contributes greatly to the home‘s sturdy nature. The home has many design influences that would have been considered eclectic in Temple when it was constructed. The house includes design elements from all around the world, including English, Danish, French, German, Spanish, Egyptian and Japanese. The Woodsons are said to have developed an appreciation for these styles during their travels around the world.
Many local residents refer to Dr. Gosney’s home as the “Chinese Mansion,” a nickname that is factually incorrect Much of the home’s design influences are Japanese, rather than Chinese, a characterization that fell out of favor due to the events surrounding World War II. .
The home’s dining room is one such example of the home’s Japanese influences. “The master dining room is designed to look like a dining room from a Japanese galley ship,” Dr. Gosney explained.
The home has been the site of many events, including the 1928 national convention of Rotary International, Halloween parties and dinners hosted by the current owner. Dr. Gosney loves to entertain his friends and family in the home and says he is particularly fond of the library.
“I love living here and will die here,” he added. “It is more than a home to me. All my children and grandchildren are here.”
If you know of an interesting Bell County home Tex Appeal readers would like to look inside, email editor@texappealmag.com.
