Erskine House No. 1
a.k.a. Hollamon House
902 N. Austin St., Seguin, TXHollamon House, in Seguin, Guadalupe County, is actually two houses in one. Dr. Benjamin Lea moved one part of the hous house to Seguin in 1867 and attached it to a four-room concrete structure built by Captain Sedy in 1855. The two parts created an outstanding piece of architecture that was given an Award of Merit by the Builders Survey of Texas (Virginia Woods, letter, April 22, 1970).
Lea moved his house from Prairie Lea by placing it on wooden wheels. Oxen drew it thirty miles to Seguin and Lea connected the sections with galleries. An outside stairway led from the lower to the upper porch near an inner wall. The house had nine fireplaces and four chimneys; the two lower living rooms were filled with fine walnut furniture.
Sometime after 1870 Lea's house was renamed for Michael Erskine, chief justice of Guadalupe County and leader of the first cattle drive from Guadalupe to California.
Later Mrs. Tom Hollamon, Jr., granddaughter of Michael Erskine, owns the house. House plans are recorded in the Library of Congress.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1962.
Local significance of the building:
Lea moved his house from Prairie Lea by placing it on wooden wheels. Oxen drew it thirty miles to Seguin and Lea connected the sections with galleries. An outside stairway led from the lower to the upper porch near an inner wall. The house had nine fireplaces and four chimneys; the two lower living rooms were filled with fine walnut furniture.
Sometime after 1870 Lea's house was renamed for Michael Erskine, chief justice of Guadalupe County and leader of the first cattle drive from Guadalupe to California.
Later Mrs. Tom Hollamon, Jr., granddaughter of Michael Erskine, owns the house. House plans are recorded in the Library of Congress.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1962.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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The state of Texas was once an independent country known as the Republic of Texas. It gained independence from Mexico in 1836 and was a separate nation until it was annexed by the United States in 1845.
About Guadalupe County
Guadalupe County Timeline
Guadalupe County, located in south-central Texas, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Coahuiltecan, Karankawa, and Tonkawa tribes. These indigenous communities thrived off the region's abundant waterways and natural resources.
The area came under Spanish rule in the 18th century when Spanish explorers and missionaries arrived. In 1756, the Spanish established the Mission Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de los Nacogdoches near present-day Seguin, marking the beginning of European settlement in the area. The mission was intended to convert and provide shelter for Native Americans, but it was eventually abandoned due to conflicts with local tribes.
During the turbulent years of the 19th century, Guadalupe County witnessed significant changes. In 1836, the Battle of the Alamo and the Texas Revolution prompted a wave of Anglo-American settlers to move into the area. The county was officially established in 1846, and soon after, it became an important center for agriculture, particularly cotton production.
The county's growth continued during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The arrival of the railroad in the 1870s brought increased economic opportunities and facilitated trade with other regions of the state. By the early 20th century, Guadalupe County had a thriving economy with industries such as agriculture, oil and gas, and manufacturing.
Today, Guadalupe County retains its agricultural heritage while also being home to a diverse mix of industries and communities. It offers a unique blend of rural charm, natural beauty, and a growing suburban area. With its rich historical background and vibrant present, Guadalupe County remains an essential part of the Lone Star State.
The area came under Spanish rule in the 18th century when Spanish explorers and missionaries arrived. In 1756, the Spanish established the Mission Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de los Nacogdoches near present-day Seguin, marking the beginning of European settlement in the area. The mission was intended to convert and provide shelter for Native Americans, but it was eventually abandoned due to conflicts with local tribes.
During the turbulent years of the 19th century, Guadalupe County witnessed significant changes. In 1836, the Battle of the Alamo and the Texas Revolution prompted a wave of Anglo-American settlers to move into the area. The county was officially established in 1846, and soon after, it became an important center for agriculture, particularly cotton production.
The county's growth continued during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The arrival of the railroad in the 1870s brought increased economic opportunities and facilitated trade with other regions of the state. By the early 20th century, Guadalupe County had a thriving economy with industries such as agriculture, oil and gas, and manufacturing.
Today, Guadalupe County retains its agricultural heritage while also being home to a diverse mix of industries and communities. It offers a unique blend of rural charm, natural beauty, and a growing suburban area. With its rich historical background and vibrant present, Guadalupe County remains an essential part of the Lone Star State.
Guadalupe County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Guadalupe County, Texas.
- 1838: Guadalupe County is established as a county in the Republic of Texas.
- 1846: Guadalupe County becomes a part of the state of Texas after Texas is annexed by the United States.
- 1848: The county seat of Guadalupe County is established in Seguin.
- 1861-1865: Guadalupe County is greatly affected by the American Civil War.
- 1876: The courthouse in Seguin is destroyed by fire but is rebuilt the following year.
- Late 1800s: The county experiences significant growth with the introduction of the railroad and the development of agriculture and industry.
- Early 1900s: Guadalupe County experiences further growth with the discovery of oil and gas in the area.
- 1930s-1940s: Guadalupe County suffers from the effects of the Great Depression and World War II.
- 1960s-1970s: The county experiences growth and development with the construction of Interstate 10 and the expansion of the petrochemical industry.
- 2000s: Guadalupe County continues to grow and attract new residents and businesses.