HistoricSiteMarkers
Reconstruction & Gilded Age

George Irvine House

Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Scottish native George Irvine (1841-1936) built this two-story frame home for his family in 1886. The founder of the Irvine Brothers Lumber Co. (later the Belford Lumber Co.), Irvine was a civic leader who served on the school board, the city council, and the vestry of Grace Episcopal Church. In 1922 he sold the house to postmaster Simon J. Enochs, who made modifications to its original Italianate detailing in the 1930s.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Scottish immigrant George Irvine built this two-story frame home for his family in 1886 in the growing college town of Georgetown. Founder of the Irvine Brothers Lumber Co., later the Belford Lumber Co., he was a pillar of civic life, serving on the school board, city council, and the vestry of Grace Episcopal Church. In 1922 he sold the house to postmaster Simon J. Enochs, who reworked its original Italianate detailing in the 1930s.

Why it matters

The home of a Scottish-born lumberman and civic leader reflects the immigrant entrepreneurship and small-town institution-building that shaped Gilded Age Central Texas.

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Related people

  • · George Irvine
  • · Simon J. Enochs

Themes & tags

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