This historic home just east of downtown Round Rock is hard to miss. For one thing, it's a three-story, red-brick mansion that takes up an entire city block in an area with few tall buildings and primarily flat terrain. Built in 1854, it's also a Texas historic landmark, officially named the A.J. Nelson-Crier House—though its owners in the 1960s called it Woodbine.
The 7,826-square-foot home boasts 18 rooms—eight of which are bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms—nine fireplaces, some stunning chandeliers, and a lovely winding staircase. The 1.67-acre property also has a barn and guest house.
According to the Williamson County Historical Commission, the original home, built by the widow and heirs of Swedish immigrant Andrew J. Nelson and designed by Austin's historic and still going strong Page Brothers architecture firm (now called simply Page), was Victorian in style. In the 1930s, heirs had the facade converted to a Greek or Classical Revival style. It had several subsequent remodels, including one in the 1960s in which four screened porches were converted to rooms.
The house has been occupied continuously for residential use; one resident in particular, Mrs. Eugene N. Goodrich (née Jean Lange Crier), painstakingly restored and furnished it in historical Victorian fashion.
• 405 East Main Street, Round Rock [Moreland Properties]
• A.J. Nelson-Crier House (The Woodbine Mansion) Round Rock, Texas [Williamson County Historical Commission]
Loading comments...