Governor, Senator, And Showman Pappy O’Daniel Left His Mark on Texas And This Fort Worth Manor

In 1904, Theodore Roosevelt was elected president of the United States.

In 1904, life expectancy was 46 years for men and 49 years for females.

In 1904, a first-class stamp cost two cents.

And in 1904, the stately home at 2230 Warner Road was built in Fort Worth. In addition to the gracious entry and towering trees, this dignified home’s curb appeal now includes something special — a historical marker.

W. Lee “Pappy” O’Daniel, who was elected Texas governor and edged out Lyndon B. Johnson to become U.S. Senator, once owned this home. A businessman, showman, and politician, O’Daniel was a larger-than-life Texas character.

“He was probably one of the least qualified people to ever serve as governor,” said Dr. Jim Riddlesperger, professor of political science at Texas Christian University, said of Pappy O’Daniel. Even though he can claim to be the only person to ever beat LBJ, he was not a revered leader, the professor said. “He was seen by his colleagues as someone with very little understanding of anything in politics.”

Pappy O’Daniel Makes a Fort Worth Move

O’Daniel moved in 1925 to Fort Worth, where he became sales manager of Burrus Mills and from 1933 to 1934 served as president of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. He eventually managed the company’s radio advertising and began writing songs and discussing religion on air. That showmanship was his ticket into politics. His dance band, The Light Crust Doughboys, earned him a big spotlight, which decades later was highlighted in the movie, “O Brother Where Art Thou?,” played by Charles Durning.

“The song and dance band spawned his political career, and they were really popular,” Riddlesperger said. “His famous song was ‘Beautiful Texas,’ a patriotic song. He used it as his launch pad for governor.”

The politician’s reputation remains outstanding, but maybe not in the way he intended.

“He’s a fascinating character in Texas politics,” Riddlesperger said. “He was widely known as barely competent to serve as governor and senator.”

Erect, Stable, And Stately

His Fort Worth home, though, still stands able and erect in stature on an oversized lot in the beautiful tree-lined Berkeley neighborhood. Within its 3,472 square feet are four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and much more. W.J. Rogers built this home as a Queen Anne style, a frame structure with a cupola, said listing agent Jeff Anderson. O’Daniel’s renovations included a major transformation that added brick and changed the home’s exterior.

The grand manor has been reworked yet again for modern living in many ways. Plumbing and electrical elements have been updated. The upstairs now includes an owner’s suite with a walk-in closet and spa-like bathroom. The basement features an exercise room, which certainly wasn’t the norm in the senator’s day, and the backyard pool looks like a circa 2023 resort pool.

Some of the original beauty remains within the walls of the home with 10-foot ceilings. The elegant pocket doors, for example, remain, while a Murano glass chandelier was added. The current owner, Anderson said, stylistically updated the home, while a previous owner updated it systematically.

The Rogers-O’Daniel House and all its history at 2230 Warner Road in Fort Worth is listed by Jeff Anderson of League Real Estate for $1.395 million

“It is just a really, really fantastic entertaining home,” said Anderson, “with a really good balance between having great parties and feeling cozy and comfortable. It’s a great place to live.”