Ilse-Rau House
Columbus, Colorado County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Built in 1887 by Henry Ilse, a farmer, rancher, saloon owner. In symmetrical Victorian style, house is constructed of cypress, with pine floors and jigsaw decorations. It contains three fireplaces with marble mantels. Roof is made of stamped metal rectangles. Contractors were Jacob and Lewis Wirtz. Ilse family home until 1954, house was purchased in 1965 and restored by Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Rau in empire and Victorian manner. Since purchased by Raymond Rau family in 1965, the structure has been known as "Raumonda." RTHL - 1970
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Farmer, rancher, and saloon owner Henry Ilse built this symmetrical Victorian house in Columbus in 1887, of cypress with pine floors, three marble-manteled fireplaces, jigsaw trim, and a roof of stamped metal rectangles. The Ilse family kept it until 1954, and in 1965 R. F. Rau and his family bought and restored it in Empire and Victorian style, giving it the name "Raumonda" it still carries. The house is a well-preserved specimen of small-town Texas Victorian craftsmanship.
Why it matters
Ornate frame houses like Raumonda mark the moment when Texas railroad towns grew prosperous enough to trade log-cabin practicality for Victorian style and permanence.
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Related people
- · Henry Ilse
- · R. F. Rau
- · Raymond Rau
Themes & tags
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