Wednesday, March 13, 2013

1013 Main Street


This Victorian house at 1013 Main Street, now home to Creations, a quilters' supply shop, was the home of William Henry and Florence Rawson. Reported to date to 1895, it may be slightly older.
The 1899 sketch below shows a much more heavily decorated house that we have today.
Rawson was a druggist and owner of Rawson Drug Store.  He also served two terms as mayor of Kerrville from 1896-1900.
 

Rawson came to Kerrville in 1890 seeking the same thing that so many early settlers sought--improved health. His health being restored, he opened a pharmacy here. Rawson's Drug Store building on Water Street stands today and is known as the Davis Building. I wrote about it here  http://kerrhistory.blogspot.com/2012/05/davis-building.html
ca 1932

On June 16, 1890, W. H. Rawson purchased 4 building lots from James A. Tivy for $450 ($50 cash, and a $400 note).  Two of those lots were on Main Street, the other two adjoining lots were on Live Oak Street.  The note was paid and the lien released by Tivy on November 12, 1891. The Rawsons probably built the house shortly after that. 
ca 1899
In 1899 the city of Kerrville valued the property at $850; the next year it was valued at $1350. The  most reasonable explanation for the increase is that an addition was put on.
Florence died  in 1914.  W. H. Rawson continued to reside here until he died in April 1931. They are buried at Glen Rest Cemetery.

No comments:

Post a Comment