HomeMy WebLinkAboutHome_Bloom-MillerThe above cottage style home was built in 1942 by Hershell Burgess, a major
Southgate area developer in College Station who believed in “building things
to last.” The entire structure is built on creosoted pilings buried 6-feet beneath
the house. All materials were purchased locally.
The three oak trees in the front yard were planted by Fred Brison at the time
the house was built. After completion, the Terrell family became its rst
owners, adding several rooms to the original structure.
In 1954, Captain Hank Bloom and his family purchased the house upon his
return from a tour of military duty in Germany after World War II. The
Bloom-Miller home has remained in the same family ever since and is currently
owned by Russ and Linda (Bloom) Harvell. Norma (Bloom) Miller, Linda’s
mother, lived in the house until her death in 2004.
Painted maroon and white, the house was well known in the neighborhood as
“The Aggie House.” Even though Norma insisted it was red and not maroon, it
was a landmark to anyone giving directions.
The Harvells were able to preserve 70% of the original hardwood oors, several
original walls and ceilings and the original living room replace. The home is
furnished with four generations of vintage furniture from Linda’s family.
The gold sofa, chair and coee table were owned by Edith Hathaway, Norma’s
mother, who purchased them in the early 1930s. Although she died at an early
age, her furniture has remained in the house since 1955.
The oval picture of the two teenage girls are Linda’s grandmother, Edith, and
her twin sister, Edna.
The china hutch and Waterford crystal belonged to Linda’s great grandparents.
It was brought over by ship when they immigrated to America from Holland.
It was later strapped to a Conestoga wagon and “survived” the Oklahoma Land
Rush. Her great grandparents settled in Arnett, Oklahoma, living there until
they passed away many years ago.
Written by Linda Harvell
Above: Hank and Norma Bloom with children Mike and Linda.
BLOOM-MILLER HOME
504 Guernsey Street
Items courtesy of Linda and Russ Harvell, Texas A&M University College of Architecture, Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History, A&M Garden Club
Shown: A collection of rare Wedgwood plates depicting the
buildings on Texas A&M campus. Designed in the 1930s and
50s by A&M architecture students, the China collection was
donated to the College of Architecture by Jo Ann and Keith
Langford. Ernest Langford, Keith’s father, was a former
College Station mayor and head of A&M’s Department of
Architecture from 1942 until 1966. A&M’s Langford
Architecture Center is named in honor of Ernest Langford.
Shown: Oak wood bell ringer telephone
box with receiver, ca. 1940, and two Brazos
County telephone directories, 1939-1940.
Shown: Flowers arranged
by A&M Garden Club.
Organized in 1936, the
club was awarded Texas
State Garden Club of the
Year in 2013.