Sebastopol
a.k.a. Zorn House
NE corner of W. Court and N. Erkel Sts., Seguin, TXSebastopol, located in Seguin, Texas, was the idea of Colonel J. W. Young who built the house for his sister, Catherine LeGette. It is an unusual flat-roofed Greek Revival residence and demonstrates an early use of poured concrete. The main level is T-shaped with inset galleries along the stem of the T which support a large square water reservoir on the roof. Young believed that the flat roof which distinguishes the house could serve the purpose of cooling the interior of the home.
Young was born in North Carolina in 1811. He lived in Alabama and became involved in southern politics. He was a member of the Alabama Legislature and in 1840 he was a delegate to the National Convention that nominated William Henry Harrison for the presidency.
In 1842 Young moved to Texas and ten years later he hired Henry Erkel, John Wesley Reagan, and Dr. Richard Parks to help him build a house for his sister. Erkel did the walnut wood-work; Reagan was in charge of the "limestone" construction; Parks contributed the formula for poured concrete, for which he later got a patent. When they finished their work, the men named the house Sebastopol for the Russian naval base famous during the Crimean War.
Subsequent owners of Sebastopol have included Joseph Zorn, founder of the town of Zorn, and the Seguin Conservation Society. The house has been the recipient of numerous architectural awards. In 1930, for example, the Department of the Interior gave the house an Award of Merit; in 1964 the Texas State Historical Survey Committee designated Sebastopol a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
Local significance of the building:
Young was born in North Carolina in 1811. He lived in Alabama and became involved in southern politics. He was a member of the Alabama Legislature and in 1840 he was a delegate to the National Convention that nominated William Henry Harrison for the presidency.
In 1842 Young moved to Texas and ten years later he hired Henry Erkel, John Wesley Reagan, and Dr. Richard Parks to help him build a house for his sister. Erkel did the walnut wood-work; Reagan was in charge of the "limestone" construction; Parks contributed the formula for poured concrete, for which he later got a patent. When they finished their work, the men named the house Sebastopol for the Russian naval base famous during the Crimean War.
Subsequent owners of Sebastopol have included Joseph Zorn, founder of the town of Zorn, and the Seguin Conservation Society. The house has been the recipient of numerous architectural awards. In 1930, for example, the Department of the Interior gave the house an Award of Merit; in 1964 the Texas State Historical Survey Committee designated Sebastopol a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
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.
The city of Austin, the state capital, is known as the live music capital of the world. It is home to many music festivals, including South by Southwest (SXSW) and the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
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 concise overview of the key events in 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.