Kellam-Galbreath House

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This property was purchased in 1880 by Mrs. M. A. Pharr, who built this house the same year for use as a hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Ben E. Kellam purchased it in 1911 to use as a boardinghouse. Among the tenants were “drummers”–as traveling salesmen were known– who rented rooms when they came to Blanco to sell their wares. The original sign is still evident; when the paint fades on the front steps, one can still see the block letters “Kellam House.”

The small outbuilding was built about 1920 by the Kellam family for use by family members when the boardinghouse was full. It was later used by the elderly Mr. Kellam after the purchase of the property by the Galbreaths. It also has been rented to many tenants.

In 1929 Arthur and Mamie Etta Byars Galbreath bought the Kellam House and continued to operate it as a boardinghouse. At the time the property included the entire block except for the building that is now the auction barn and the next-door Garrett House.

The Galbreaths’ niece Ilene Waggoner and her husband Wayne lived with Mamie, Arthur, and Arthur’s mother in this house. Two Waggoner daughters were born here: Mamye Jo in 1934 and Retta Jane in 1937, resulting in four generations living together in the house. Mamye Jo and Retta used to take a salt shaker out to the garden (in a field where the bowling alley is now) and pick fresh tomatoes to eat.

After Arthur passed away in the 1940s, Mamie sold all the property except the part (including the house) surrounded by the rock wall to Roland Bindsell, who built the bowling alley in 1947. When Mamie died in 1970, the house stayed in the family and has been restored by Retta (Waggoner) Martin. It has kept the character of a roominghouse. Mamie had rented rooms to many young people when the Waggoners were away, and Retta has continued the tradition. Twenty-two Waggoner children and grandchildren have grown up with this house as “home.”

The Kellam-Galbreath House, a one-story frame dwelling with two exterior stone chimneys, is a good example of early 20th century domestic architecture and is largely intact.