Seward Plantation
Seward Plantation | |
FM 390 E, Independence, Texas | |
Coordinates | 30°19′46″N 96°19′56″W / 30.32944°N 96.33222°W |
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Area | approx. 60 acres (24 ha) |
Built | 1855 |
Built by | John H. Seward |
Architectural style | Greek Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 12001250[1] |
Added to NRHP | January 29, 2013 |
The Seward Plantation is a historic site built in 1855, a Southern
Location
The plantation is located one mile (1.6 km) east of
History
Between 1832 and 1833, Samuel Seward (1794–1870) moved from Illinois to Mexican Texas with Stephen F. Austin.[5][2] Seward purchased 1,700 acres (690 ha) of land,[5][2] then 300 acres (120 ha) more.[5]
In the 1850s, after
The plantation house was originally built as a one-story building 1/4 mile from Sam Seward's house. One year after its completion the house was rolled on large cottonwood logs 3/4th of a mile, to its current location because the original location was found to be inaccessible during the rainy seasons and unhealthful during the cold seasons. The house was constructed almost entirely from cedar trees growing within sight of the original location. It sits securely on a stone base. The Seward family added a second story soon after the house was moved, and made other additions through the years. After it was enlarged, the plantation home became the largest house in Washington County.[5] The property also included barns, log cabins for slaves,[2] a smokehouse, a corn crib and a blacksmith's shop, many of which are still standing.
It was used as a cotton plantation prior to the American Civil War of 1861 to 1865.[6] After the war, it became a cattle ranch.[6]
The house survived the storm of 1900.[5] The Seward Plantation remained in the Seward family until 2017, when it was purchased by a family from Houston who is restoring the property and using the house as a private home.
See also
References
- ^ "Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 1/28/13 through 2/1/13". National Park Service. February 8, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e "Seward Plantation". City of Brenham, Texas. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
- ^ http://www.loc.gov.pictures/collection/hh/Seward Plantation
- ^ thc.texas.gov/preserve/projects-and-programs/state-historical-markers/1936-texas-centennial-markers
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Seward Plantation". City of Independence, Texas. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f "Recent Listing: Seward Plantation". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
External links
Media related to Seward Plantation at Wikimedia Commons