Bell Prairie

Once located southwest of this site was the home of Henry Falvel Gillette (1816-1896). A native of Connecticut, Gillette came to Texas in 1840 at the urging of his cousin, Ashbel Smith. He became a noted educator in Harris, Washington, and Polk counties. He married Lucinda Maxey (1826-1901) of Washington County in 1842. The Gillette family lived on the plantation of Lucinda's father, William Maxey, in present San Jacinto County from about 1848 until 1859, when Henry bought property on Galveston Bay. He named his plantation home Bell Prairie. The plantation included a two-story brick home, matching carriage house, and slave quarters. A wharf on the property was used for the importation of cattle from England. In addition to operating his plantation, Gillette was superintendent of the Bayland Orphan's Home on nearby Goose Creek and was a founding member and Worthy Master of the Cedar Bayou Masonic Lodge. Following Henry Gillette's death, Bell Prairie remained in the family until the mid-20th century. The plantation home was severely damaged in the 1900 hurricane and burned to the ground after being struck by lightning in the 1915 storm. (1989)

Bell Prairie is a historical marker in Baytown, Harris County, dedicated in 1989. It is one of 406 historical markers documented in Harris County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 781 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.7003, -94.9422 near Baytown. The nearest cataloged historic site is Smith, Ashbel, M. D. (historical marker), about 1.3 miles away. Others within a short drive include Baytown Mexican School (DeZavala Elemenary), Gaillard-Mitchell Family Cemetery, and K'Nesseth Israel Synagogue.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5201010613. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.