THE BAYLESS HOME

The Belvidere Mansion was built by John and Mary Bayless, formerly from Cassville, Missouri. Mr. Bayless was successful in banking, railroads, hotels, land development, and other projects. He was president of the Bank of Claremore at the time of his death in 1907. He and his wife moved to Claremore with six of their living children. Mrs. Mary Melissa Stubblefield Bayless and her children completed the mansion after Mr. Bayless died and lived in the home until 1919. The eldest daughter from the first marriage of Mr. Bayless was living in Claremore with her husband George Davis and their three year old daughter, Mary Ella, when the Belvidere was completed.

Frances Davis and the oldest Bayless boys worked in the Bank of Claremore and Earle became president of the bank. Guy and Ross were also involved in banking. Bourke became the local postmaster and Wayne became a State Supreme Court Judge.

The Belvidere is a unique three story Victorian mansion. It was built in 1907 just before statehood. The house is brick with a tile roof and has four towers, one on each corner. A portico on the north side provided cover for the guest carriages as they arrived for gala parties. A large porch covers the front entrance with matching balcony directly above. Much of the trim and woodwork used in the mansion were brought from the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis.

A wide entry L-shaped hall meets the carriage entrance to form a gathering place. The floor is covered in tile laid by a man from Italy. The walls are wainscoted marble and pressed-tin. Sliding pocket doors and fireplaces accent several rooms.

Just as unique as the Belvidere are the stories behind the mansion and the man who built it. Attracted by Claremore's two railroads, John M. Bayless brought his wife and children to Indian Territory from Cassville, Missouri in 1901. By 1902, Bayless started building his castle-like mansion located at Fourth and Chickasaw. Unfortunately, Mr. Bayless died before the Belvidere was completed.

For more information on the Belvidere, please visit the Rogers County Historical Society's website, from which I acquired the information for this page.

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