Burleson-Knispel House

The Burleson-Knispel Homestead is the oldest standing home in Hays County and its history has close ties with the historically prominent Burleson family, the development of San Marcos and the history of the state of Texas. It was built in 1855 by Major Edward Burleson, Jr. on land purchased by his father, General Edward Burleson, which was located within the Juan Martin de Veramendi and Thomas Jefferson Chambers Mexican land grants. Constructed of native materials, the home is a refined example of the pioneer architectural style prevalent in the area during the mid-nineteenth century. The simple rectangular form, shed addition, chimneys at the gable ends and an exterior stairway (now removed) on the front facade also reflect the German influence present in central Texas at this time.

General Burleson (1793-1851) was a colonist in Stephen F.. Austin's second colony, once owned the land on which the state capitol now stands, and was active in the movement for Texas independence. - He purchased the San Marcos homestead land about 1845 while serving as the area's state senator in the Texas legislature. General Burleson was also an unsuccessful candidate for the presidency of the Republic of Texas in 1838.

Edward Burleson, Jr. grew up on the homestead land and fought in the Mexican War with Ben McCullough and the Texas Mounted Volunteers. After his father's death in 1851, Burleson took an active role in property development in San Marcos. He married Emma Kyle in 1854 and in 1855, after his father's estate was. settled, he built the rock home that is the focal point of the Burleson homestead. Burleson developed the farm with the aid of slave labor and was an active citizen serving as Hays County Commissioner in 1856. Both Burleson and his wife died in 1877 and the land and buildings passed first to Burleson's son, James Green Burleson, and then were sold to William Green.

With the aid of civil engineers and a sophisticated irrigation system, Green developed a truck farming industry that was widely known for its diversification and modern methods. Riverhead Farms, with its headquarters in the rock home, included 2405 acres of which 670 were under irrigation. The complex system was probably unnecessary, however, as it was later learned that the farm was located over the Edwards Aquifer. Green built most of the out buildings present on the farm and drilled two of the farm's three wells in 1911. Financial trouble attributable to a general depression around 1907-10 caused Green's operation to fail and in 1911 the farm was sold.

August Knispel, son of a German immigrant, purchased the farm and again used the house as a residence. He produced cotton, corn and beef on the land until his death in 1948. His son, Robert Lee Knispel, then assumed management of the Knispel-Riverhead Farm which he still runs today.

The Burleson Homestead was the first building in Hays County to be designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, an honor awarded it in 1962.

The outbuildings included in the nomination are architecturally compatible with the main house. As a group, they comprise a meaningful addition to the nomination, by expressing the farming heritage of the Burleson-Knispel property.