This photograph shows Westfield Acres, the residence of Frank Humphrey Fowler and Jessie Fremont Fowler, located at 1217 Nye Avenue in Fremont, Nebraska. The scene is viewed from Nye Avenue on the east side of the estate, looking west and north. The meandering and curving driveway divides and leads to the house as well as to the stables and other parts of the grounds. Older growth trees and the expanse of well manicured lawn help belie the fact that this estate is just recently constructed. Landscaping also includes newly planted shrubbery. The Fowlers' neoclassical style home is of brick construction and is profusely trimmed with white classical columns, railings and dentiled cornices all of which are of wood construction. Frank Fowler, his wife Jessie and their young son James H. Fowler appear as diminutive figures on the south porch near the pillared porte-cochere or carriage entrance. Striped canvas awnings shelter the first and second story windows but are absent on the third story. The stables are also of brick construction but sport less white trim than the house. The building has gables with returning eaves, and its roof is crowned with a colonial style louvered and domed cupola. The front double entrance is screened and framed by brick columns with white wooden spindles and caps.
The 16 acre property at 1217 Nye Avenue in Fremont, Nebraska, was purchased by Frank Fowler from Edward Blewett in 1903. The former Blewett residence was drastically remodeled into a 32 room mansion while the surrounding grounds were transformed to include the stable, a poultry house, and a gardener's residence. The architect secured for the major building project was Alfred C. Clas of Ferry and Clas, architects of the 1893 World's Fair. The estate was razed in 1958. This oversized photographic image measures 10 1/4x13" and when coupled with its tan mounting board of 17 3/4x21", it creates a grand presentation for this grand estate circa 1904.
