Own a Piece of Camp Bowie History in Arlington Heights Neighborhood

Here is a chance to own a piece of history. There’s a house listed in popular Arlington Heights that can tie its history back a hundred years to the famous soldier James “Jim” Bowie.

Yes, this celebrated legend of the Texas Revolution is remembered in Fort Worth in many ways, including the Camp Bowie military base. There’s a house on the market at 4705 El Campo Ave. that sits on the site of the original Camp Bowie, a training camp for soldiers and specialists, according to research the listing Realtor has.

“It is very interesting,” said Realtor Cathy Taylor with Helen Painter Group Realtors who has received information from a historian about the home. “The house was built in 1925, and they shut down the fort in 1919, I believe.”

Evidently this home now for sale contains wood from the original training camp. In this 100-year-old home with nine-foot ceilings, pine, and oak wood was used in the entry’s transom, windows, and floors.

“They’re positive the structure of this house was built from the wood from the fort,” Taylor said. “They ended up collapsing some of the fort buildings and used the wood that had been a part of the fort for the houses here.”

Camp Bowie Site and Musical Memories

Taylor’s current listing, priced at $548,000, is one of maybe four existing homes that can claim sitting on the Camp Bowie site and truly incorporating reclaimed wood. Her charming two-bedroom, two-bathroom listing also holds musical memories within its walls. Long after Bowie was gone, the property was the longtime home of Betty Capshaw, a gifted and respected pianist. The acclaimed music teacher taught piano in her home for years to students throughout Fort Worth.

What was once the music room in the home Capshaw shared with her husband features windows on three sides. From that room, visitors can see from there to the living room, through to the entry, on to the dining room, beyond to the kitchen, and finally into the den. It’s an interesting floor plan, Taylor said, mimicking a shotgun house but instead of seeing through from the front door to the back, this house can be seen from side to side.

In its 1,686 square feet, the home boasts an abundance of natural light, a wood-burning fireplace, and wide thresholds. In what’s unusual for a home built in 1925, this house includes an attached, two-car garage.

Walking to the Boulevard

Even as the front yard makes a grand impression, the house lives much like a patio home with truly little back yard. The corner lot in Fort Worth’s Arlington Heights is walking distance to bustling Camp Bowie Boulevard, dotted with destination restaurants and retailers.

“It’s a very unusual piece of property,” Taylor said. “If you love old homes and appreciate them, this is an almost 100-year-old home nestled in this incredible Arlington Heights neighborhood. It would speak to someone who loves old homes. It’s in great condition for a 100-year-old home.”

Catherine Taylor has listed 4705 El Campo Ave. for $548,000.