THE HISTORY OF OUR GRANBURY TEXAS BED AND BREAKFAST
Click photo to enlarge and read. Texas was a favorite destination chosen by many confederate veterans of the Civil War. Seeking opportunities in the expanding west, James and John Doyle followed their brother, William, to Texas and settled in the area now known as Granbury. According to deed records, Mr. Doyle purchased the property, now known as 123 West Doyle, in 1876 and became an astute businessman. Working for the J.H. Baker Dry Goods Store, he managed and eventually became the sole owner of the building that still stands today.
James served as Hood County's first treasurer. In addition to serving on the first Board of Directors for the First National Bank and the Granbury School Board, James was active in helping to build the first bridge across the Brazos River in 1878.
In 1879, James chose as his wife, Mary Kate Stringfellow. Over the years they had three children. To meet the needs of his growing family, James expanded his single-story house until it evolved into the lovely, two-story Queen Anne Style home that is known as "The Captain's House".
Descendants of the family recall how everyone always loved coming to visit Uncle Jim and Aunt Kate. She always had the worst angel food cake in the oven and Uncle Jim was always willing to escort young boys down to the river for picnics. Local historian, Mary Kate Durham, tells how, as a little girl, she always remembered calling him "Captain". "That's just what folks did when they respected someone in those days," recalls Mary Kate.
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