Temple’s Longmire House
Photos by WES ALBANESE
This gorgeous northside Temple home could go by many names … current owners, Dr. Bryce and Cassandra Allen just know it is the perfect place to raise their children and call home.
The house was originally built by Dr. Arthur Carroll Scott Jr. in 1932. Dr. Scott invested himself in the construction, drawing the final plans himself and inspecting the construction process daily. Shortly after the project was completed another northside residence caught the eye of Dr. Scott and he sold it in 1936 to another Temple physician, Dr. Victor and Ruth Longmire.
The Longmire’s lived in the home for many years, updating it lovingly along the way. One of their most interesting projects was the installation of an elevator. A story regarding the elevator has been passed along to Mrs. Allen.
“Evidently a traveling elevator salesperson visited the neighborhood as there is an identical elevator in another home in this area,” she said.
In 1983, Judge Jimmy Carroll and his wife Madelon purchased the home and lived there comfortably until 2006, when it was purchased by Jim and Susan Cornette. The Allen family acquired it in 2011 and fell in love.
“We are so in love with the neighborhood. We hope to be here long term,” Mrs. Allen said. “We love the diversity of the neighborhood. It is part of what is beautiful about it.”
The walkability is another thing that drew the Allen’s to the home. “It’s great on a Spring evening to walk or ride bikes downtown to have dinner or relax.” Mrs. Allen also mentioned the annual 4th of July parade and Halloween trick or treat as some of her favorite aspects of living here.
The Allen’s completed a home renovation of their own in 2021. All renovations are “interesting” projects. This one was made even more so by the fact that the family and their dogs lived onsite during the project, living inside their 600-square-foot garage living quarters for 10 months!
The home itself blends a classic style with the Allen’s personal taste and charm.
“I think that if you really like something you can always make it fit in your home.”
Some of the Allen’s favorite renovations were the creation of a chef’s kitchen, the addition of the pool and the movement of the home’s laundry facilities from the garage to a more convenient indoor location.
If you know of an interesting Bell County home Tex Appeal readers would like to look inside, email editor@texappealmag.com.
