Tom Lovell (1852-1911), a native of Scotland, constructed this home for his family about 1889. A contractor, he also built various public structures, including the state capitol in Arizona, several central Texas courthouses, and the local St. John's Episcopal Church building. The Rev. Charles Holt Dobbs (d. 1920) purchased the two-story residence in 1902. He and his wife Elizabeth (1837-1921) served the rural area around Brownwood as traveling teachers and Presbyterian missionaries. Their daughters Anna and Bess later operated a kindergarten here for over thirty years. (1980)