Holmes & Bierschwale Law and Land Office
Mason, Mason County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Attorney Henry Holmes (1836-1895) moved to Mason after serving in the U.S. Army and continued his public service as county attorney, justice of the peace and personal secretary to Gov. Lawrence Sullivan Ross. About 1883 he had this sandstone building constructed for his office. Holmes and Mason County native Charles Bierschwale (1862-1945), whose career was in land survey and sales, became business partners by 1888, and this structure housed their law and land office. The vernacular commercial building remained in the Bierschwale family until 1994. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2000
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Attorney Henry Holmes (1836–1895) settled in Mason after Army service and served as county attorney, justice of the peace, and personal secretary to Governor Lawrence Sullivan Ross. About 1883 he built this sandstone office, and by 1888 he had partnered with Mason native Charles Bierschwale, whose work lay in land survey and sales. The building housed their combined law and land office and stayed in the Bierschwale family until 1994.
Why it matters
It reflects how law and land dealing went hand in hand in shaping and settling the Texas frontier.
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Related people
- · Henry Holmes
- · Charles Bierschwale
- · Gov. Lawrence Sullivan Ross
Themes & tags
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