Built 1908 – 14, the Bowden-Kennon House is in the Register of Texas Historic Landmarks as well as being a Granbury landmark. It is a Popular house in the style of Free Classic. The home is two stories, center passage plan design, and on a pier and beam foundation. The inset porch is supported by Doric columns and the windows are inlayed with a decorative diamond pattern. The four large gables, one at each side of the house, are just one of the home’s many distinctive features. Many of the windows on this home are original all but the two front windows have delicate Gothic wood tracery, rather than traditional panes. The rooms on the first floor still have the original tongue and groove interlocking pine floors as do the rooms on the second floor along with tall wooden baseboards. R. W. Bowden became a Granbury merchant at just fifteen, when he opened a small candy store. After that, he ran a Confectionary Shop on the town square with Alfred Peveler. In 1894, R. W. Bowden purchased the Bön Ton Dining Parlor, which was famous for fresh oysters, fish, ice cream and cold drinks. In 1901, R. W. Bowden bought the Granbury telephone system and helped build the first telephone lines going west out of Granbury. R. W. Bowden owned a drug store on the square, along with Dave Gardner, but they sold after a year. R. W. Bowden owned the fifth car registered in Granbury, and owned the Granbury Auto Garage until 1913. Mr. Bowden also owned a department store on the Square, The Fair, which he also sold in 1913. Mr. Bowden served on the Official Board of Elders for the Presbyterian Church and also served on the board of the First Methodist Church for many years. P. H. Kennon bought the home in September, 1914. While working in a cotton gin, he lost his right arm in a cotton press, but continued working in the cotton business for many years. Mr. Kennon ran unsuccessfully for Hood County Tax Assessor in 1898, but was successful when he ran in 1902. He held that office from 1902 – 1912. P. H. Kennon died in 1927, but his widow remained there until her death in 1951. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kennon are buried in Granbury Cemetery. Their two daughters, Nell and Lucy, sold the home in 1954 to the Tittle family. The Tittle family remained in the house until 1982 making only one major renovation during those thirty years, a downstairs bathroom. The home then sold to Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Steward, the current owners, in 1983. The Bowden-Kennon House was designated a Granbury Historical Landmark by the City of Granbury. This information was obtained from their website.
