James Weir (1821-1908) married Susan Green (1823-1903) in 1842. After studying law at Transylvania University in Lexington, Weir became a lawyer in 1848 after settling in Owensboro, Kentucky. He was also President of the Deposit Bank and the Owensboro & Russellville Railroad. In 1880 he opened a factory producing carriage material. He also wrote three novels in 1849-50.

Constructed in 1858, at a cost of $20,000 ($715,752 today), the James Weir Mansion covered 400 acres in Owensboro, Kentucky. When James Weir died in 1906, it had been reduced to only 20 acres.

The frescoes were done around 1870 by a former Prussian (later Confederate Officer,) Captain Buler, costing $12,000 ($293,884 today.) 1942 Newspaper describing the home: "...walls of the home were frescoed by the same artist that frescoed the walls of the Congressional library...gold leaf was used on the elaborate handcarved woodwork..." "The library was noted for its life-size handpainting of Washington Crossing the Delaware. The painting was done on the ceiling of the room. on the library walls were actual paintings of famous artists and historians. Waveland was named after the girlhood home of Mrs. Weir, in Danville..."

In 1908, Homestead Land Company purchased the property for $70,000 ($2,411,982) for residential development. They broke the property into lots including a lot with the home. After rejecting "too low" bids, "...dirt has been graded away from the house, leaving it standing on a mound eight or ten feet high. The dirt is crumbling from beneath it, and it will shortly be in danger of collapsing unless torn down." By August, "The old Weir homestead is no more. The old landmark which stood for half a century has been torn asunder, and only a heap of ruins are left where once stood this stately old home. The brick are being cleaned and sold for building material."

"Almost as well known to early Owensboroans as the mansion, were Weir's park and Weir's pond...extended from the ridge off Griffith avenue, south of the mansion, back to Walnut street and north on Walnut street... The park was in reality a virgin forest, and in summer time was the scene of church picnics and community gatherings for many years. It was said to have been the pride and joy of Mrs. Weir and was kept intact during her lifetime. Weir's pond was the scene of many skating parties in winter time, and a favorite of swimmers in summer."

Wiki on James Weir, FindAGrave.