Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Good afternoon from Austin.
If you’ve read my first book, Heart of Texas, you may have wondered why I chose Oak Hill, Texas, for the setting of the story and why a limestone house for the Baileys to reside. I have lived in Austin for 20 years and wanted a location in the Hill Country for my story. Since I drive through Oak Hill often and am a patron of many of its shops and restaurants, I began to research the community. Oak Hill is rich in history. I’ll share a bit of what I’ve learned.
Oak Hill, a community of neighborhoods in southwest Austin, was originally known as Live Oak Springs. Oak Hill and the area we now know as Travis County were still part of Mexico. The land was awarded to William Cannon by the Mexican government in 1835. Poor settlers attracted by the abundance of wood, water, and game began to settle in the area making a living by cutting cedar, building stone walls and fences, and making charcoal and moonshine. In 1870, one of the settlers, W.K. Beckett, owned an area of pecan and live oak trees called “The Grove” or “The Beckett Grove” located alongside Williamson Creek. This was the last stop for cattle drives heading through Austin. In 1881 plans were made to build a new capitol building in Austin using white limestone to resemble the one in Washington D.C. Beckett leased 1,000 acres of the Beckett Grove to be used as a quarry. He also built a narrow-gauge railroad from the quarry to the capitol grounds to carry the limestone. Due to the cost and labor issues, 100 convicts were sent to the quarry in 1885 to supply the workforce. This area around the quarry was called “Convict Hill.” After the Texas State Capitol was completed, quarry operations shut down. The general store was rebuilt of stone in 1898 and today houses the Austin Pizza Garden on US 290. By 1904, Oak Hill’s population was in excess of 200 people. Nearly a century later, Oak Hill was absorbed into Austin’s city limits. Interestingly enough, three streets in the area bear names from Oak Hill’s history…William Cannon Drive, Beckett Road, and Convict Hill Road.
Too much history? I hope not. Maybe you learned something you didn’t know about Oak Hill.
Why a limestone house?
My idea for the limestone house was drawn from a beautiful, 12,000 sq. ft. limestone house in San Antonio where my husband and I stayed on two occasions. The Terrell Castle is located on East Grayson across the street from Fort Sam Houston. When we were there, it was a bed-and-breakfast operated by two sisters. Now, the Lambermont is used for weddings and special event venues. The house built of white limestone was commissioned in 1894 by Edwin Holland Terrell. Terrell, the ambassador to Belgium under President Benjamin Harrison, fell in love with French architecture and castles. Upon returning to the States, he commissioned the house design similar to a castle for his wife and their six children. My memory of the house will always be my first glance of its grandeur, the large porches, the many bedrooms and fireplaces, and the exquisite staircase.
Until next time….
Wow. That is fascinating!! I learned a lot of new facts!
Correta,
Happy to share Oak Hill history with you. Know how many times I’ve driven down Convict Hill Rd? Now I know where the city got its name.
Your interest our in Texas History is amazing. Thank you for sharing the information you discovered during your research as you developed the ideas and bases for your books.
Jan,
Research is my favorite part of writing and I try to share some of what I’ve learned within my stories. Thanks for being one of my “biggest” fans.
I love the history!!!
Beth,
History is fun. I’ve enjoyed all the research needed to tell my stories. Thanks for sharing your photo for Seasons Under the Sun’s cover.
We lived on Ft Sam for a few months back in 1983. I don’t remember that house, but I was pretty busy in Army training. We lived on post in a big old wooden house built in 1889. The Army at one time was going to tear it down, and several others like it. A local historical society stopped them thankfully. We loved it.
Dan,
Thank you for your comment.
I was always intrigued by the army base across the street from the bed-and-breakfast. I understand there is a museum on the base now as well. I understand not having time to see the castle while undergoing training in the Army. Believe me, if you had seen it, you would have remembered it.
Love reading all this information, Debbie. I’ve heard bits and pieces, but this is really interesting.
Thank you, Tanice, for checking out my blog. I’m glad I could share some bits of history that you found interesting. Stay tuned. I hope to share more.
I love reading more about the history and context of your book and its characters! It’s great to know about some of the characters and plot lines you had to excise from your book. That must have been hard to do.
Thanks for your advice. I am including in my blog segments from a chapter I had to delete from my original manuscript to free up space. Thanks again. You’ll be reading more about Claudia soon.