A BRIEF HISTORY OF TERRELL CASTLE
Terrell Castle was built in 1894 as the residence of Edwin Holland Terrell. The Terrell family is a prominent state and local family to this day. Edwin Terrell was a lawyer and statesman who served as Ambassador and Plenipotentiary to Belgium during the presidency of Benjamin Harrison in the early 1890’s. While in Europe, Mr Terrell fell in love with the castles and chateaus in Belgium and France. Upon his return to Texas, he commissioned an architect to design this home, patterned after those castles in Europe. It was to be a “castle for his bride” and their six children. Mr. Terrell originally named the castle “Lambermont” after a business associate. The Terrell family lived here until Edwin’s death in 1908. It has had a succession of owners since then, operating as a bed and breakfast since 1986. In September 1997, it was purchased by the present owners, Victor and Diane Smilgin.
The architect, Alfred Giles, was an Englishman who had come to Texas to work. He designed many famous buildings, including many courthouses, schools, public buildings, a number of buildings on Fort Sam Houston, and other prominent homes throughout the Southwest and Northern Mexico.
Today the Castle is an example of Victorian elegance and comfort. There are many fine antiques throughout the many rooms, mixed with modern pieces of similar decor, such as comfortable chairs and ottomans. Most of the bedrooms have king-size beds, which are not antique, but are expected by many guests. Romantic fireplaces are in several of the guest rooms, and well stacked bookcases and TV’s make all the rooms places in which you will want to linger. Terrell Castle has been described by one Bed and Breakfast author as “the most elegant Bed and Breakfast in Texas.”
