J.B. Wells Cattle Baron’s Home

08/11/2026

A Family Story Passed Down Through Generations ❤️

James Hodges Sr., a Texas pioneer and participant in the events of the Texas Revolution, was the great-grandfather of Josephine Hodges Wells, who later owned the J.B. Wells House.

Josephine kept her family’s history alive by gathering her children and grandchildren around her table and sharing stories of their ancestors’ experiences during the Runaway Scrape, when families fled the advancing Mexican Army and often buried treasured possessions for safekeeping.

The sugar bowl Josephine used while telling these stories is still on display at the J.B. Wells House today—a simple artifact connecting generations of one Gonzales family to the story of Texas.

Stop by the J.B. Wells house for a tour and see the treasured sugar bowl. The house is open for tours Saturday and Sundays from 10 AM to 3 PM.

Gonzales History: James Hodges Sr.

History is all around us in Gonzales County!

James Hodges Sr. arrived in Gonzales in April 1835, just months before the Texas Revolution began. That September, he was elected as one of six Gonzales delegates to the Consultation of 1835, which helped establish a provisional government and organize the Texas Army under Sam Houston.

After returning home, Hodges provided supplies for the Texas Army in 1836. He and his family fled during the Runaway Scrape but later returned to Gonzales County, where he continued serving his community.

James Hodges Sr. died on December 24, 1846, leaving behind a legacy connected to the founding years of Texas.

The next time you pass a Texas Historical Marker, stop and read it—you may discover an incredible piece of history right in your own backyard. ❤️🤍💙

TexasHistoricalMarker PreserveTexasHistory

07/31/2026

Our hearts are full of gratitude for everyone who supported the J.B. Wells House after the flood. Your kindness, encouragement, and generosity made all the difference.

We’re excited to share that our historic home has been fully restored to its pre-flood condition—just in time for tomorrow’s Community Heritage Brunch. What a blessing!

Thank you for helping preserve this special piece of Texas history. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back!

07/19/2026

What a wonderful day at the J.B. Wells Cattle Baron’s Home!

We had the pleasure of welcoming Oli Pettigrew and The Mrs ThatEnglishman for a special tour of our beautiful historic mansion. Sharing the Wells family’s story, the rich history of the home, and the heritage of Gonzales is one of the greatest joys of preserving this remarkable Texas landmark.

We hope they enjoyed stepping back in time and experiencing a piece of Texas history firsthand. Thank you for visiting Gonzales—we’re so glad you spent part of your journey with us! Daughters of the Republic of Texas - Gonzales Chapter

Be sure to follow them on social media to see more of their adventures as they continue exploring Gonzales and beyond!

07/13/2026

🐝 Talk about some unexpected houseguests! 🏡

The J.B. Wells House recently had thousands of honeybees living inside one of its walls! While bees are essential to our environment, a colony inside a historic home can cause significant damage over time.

Thankfully, our beekeeper carefully removed the colony, and here’s the best part… the bees weren’t destroyed! 💛 They were safely relocated to the countryside, where they now have a new home alongside another hive and can continue doing what they do best.

Historic preservation is full of surprises, and this was certainly one of the most fascinating! Every step we take helps preserve the J.B. Wells House for future generations while also respecting the important role these incredible pollinators play.

🎥 Watch this amazing behind-the-scenes look at the bee removal—and let us know if you’ve ever witnessed something like this before!

07/03/2026

Who was J.B. Wells Jr.?

Many people are familiar with the J.B. Wells House and J.B. Wells Park, but do you know the man behind the name?

James Bailey "J.B. Wells Jr. was born in Gonzales in 1892 to James Bailey Wells Sr. and Josephine Henry Wells. He grew up in the beautiful Victorian home on Mitchell Street that his parents purchased in 1890- a home built in 1885 by Thomas Newton Matthews and now known as the J.B. Wells House.

J.B. Wells Jr. was more than the last owner of the historic home-he was a man who believed in giving back to the community he loved.

Upon his passing, he donated the family home to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, ensuring that this important piece of Texas history would be preserved and shared with future generations. Today, the Gonzales Chapter proudly cares for the home as a museum dedicated to preserving the stories of the Matthews and Wells families and their place in Texas history.

His generosity didn't stop there. J.B. Wells Jr. also donated land to the City of Gonzales with the wish that it always be used as a public park. That incredible gift became what we know today as J.B. Wells Park, Arena & Expo, a place where families gather, rodeos are held, youth compete, and the community comes together year-round.

From preserving the past through his family's historic home to investing in the future through a community park, J.B. Wells Jr.'s legacy continue to enrich the lives of Gonzales residents every day.

The next time you visit the J.B. Wells House or attend an event at the J.B. Wells Park, take a moment to remember the generous man whos vision ensured these places would belong to the people of Gonzales for generations to come.

History isn't just found in buildings and parks-it lives on through the people whose generosity made them possible.

07/03/2026

Welcome to the Official J.B. Wells Cattle Baron's Home Page!

Step inside one of Gonzales' most treasured historic homes and discover the people, stories, and events that helped shape Texas.

Built in 1885 by cattleman Thomas Newton Matthews, this remarkable home was constructed from Florida longleaf pine shipped by steamboat to Indianola and hauled by ox cart to Gonzales. In 1890, it became the home of James Baily (J.B.) Wells and his family, whose legacy remains an important part of Gonzales and Texas history.

Today, the T.N. Matthews - J.B. Wells House is proudly preserved by the Gonzales Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. As a recorded Texas Historic Landmark, our mission is to preserve this historic home while sharing the stories of the Matthews and Wells families, the Republic of Texas, early ranching, and life in Gonzales through tours, educational programs, and community events.

Whether you are a life long Texan, a history enthusiast, a genealogist, or just passing through, we invite you to explore this unique piece of Texas heritage.

Follow our page for
* Historic photos and stories
* Upcoming tours and special events
* Restoration Updates
* Texas history highlights
* Behind the scenes look at preserving this remarkable home.

History is best experienced where it happened. We look forward to welcoming you to the J.B. Wells House.