Baylor-Norvell House
Rockport, Aransas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Located on the waterfront in a community that has survived many hurricanes, this house was built about 1868 by Dr. John W. Baylor. In addition to his medical practice Dr. Baylor owned a local meat packing business, ranched, and worked to bring a railroad to the county. Schoolteachers Elisha (1857-1933) and Irene (1865-1944) Norvell moved to Rockport from Goliad in 1888 and rented the house before buying it in 1890. Elisha also worked as an agent for the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad and was a realtor. Irene, a musician, sold the house in 1935. (1991)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built about 1868 by Dr. John W. Baylor on the Rockport waterfront, this house has weathered generations of Gulf hurricanes. Baylor was more than a physician—he ran a local meat-packing business, ranched, and worked to bring a railroad to the county. In 1888 schoolteachers Elisha and Irene Norvell moved from Goliad and later bought the house; Elisha worked as a railway agent and realtor while Irene, a musician, kept the home until 1935.
Why it matters
The house captures the entrepreneurial spirit of the post–Civil War Texas coast, where a single family might combine medicine, ranching, packing, railroads, and teaching to build a new town.
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Related people
- · John W. Baylor
- · Elisha Norvell
- · Irene Norvell
Themes & tags
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