Thistle Hill Mansion

A gorgeous Georgian Revival mansion built in 1903 for 20-year-old Electra Waggoner Wharton, daughter of oil and cattle baron William Waggoner. The third-floor ballroom hosted Fort Worth's wealthiest, and the whole place cost the equivalent of $1.2 million today.

Thistle Hill, located at 1509 Pennsylvania Avenue, is one of Fort Worth's premier residential landmarks and the most impressive surviving mansion of the "cattle baron" era. Designed by the architectural firm of Sanguinet and Staats, this magnificent Georgian Revival landmark was built in 1903 for approximately $1.2 million in today's currency.

The mansion's original owner was Electra Waggoner, known as the "Princess of the Panhandle" and the only daughter of Tom Waggoner, one of the richest cattle barons in the United States. Treated to a trip around the world as a young woman, Electra met Albert B. Wharton while hiking in Nepal. Their wedding was described as an outstanding social event for the entire state. From 1903 to 1938, Thistle Hill hosted lavish parties catering to Fort Worth's wealthiest citizens.

In 1910, local cattle baron Winfield Scott purchased the home from the Whartons and spent the equivalent of $5 million renovating it to his exacting standards. Winfield Scott died suddenly in 1911 of a health issue--never getting to live inside the mansion he'd poured his fortune into improving.

Ghostly activity picked up when a non-profit group renovated the property in the 1970s. Guests who look nothing like the hired help now crash wedding celebrations at the venue. Often mistaken for costumed actors, these figures appear shockingly similar to the mega-rich socialites who once called Thistle Hill home--Electra and her famous party guests.

Electra required fresh flowers delivered to her mansion daily. In the 1980s, museum employees reported catching whiffs of fresh flowers throughout the house with no source--as if Electra's ghost still maintains her home's elegant reputation.

The restoration work and joyous modern celebrations may have fueled the residual hauntings, awakening the spirits of Gilded Age Texas. The carriage house, rarely discussed, has been setting off alarms for decades with no explanation. The spirits of Thistle Hill seem to approve of the festivities--they just want to join in.