Nance Farm
De Soto, Dallas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Otway Bird Nance (1805 - 1874) brought his family here from Kentucky in 1851 and bought this land through the Peters Colony in 1856. Begun in the 1850s, this residence was later enlarged and Victorian detailing added. It originally faced north but was rotated in the early 1900s to face east. Near the farmhouse, a barn, curing shed, and an elevated water tank have been preserved. The Nance family owned this site until 1951. It was purchased by the city of De Soto in 1975. RTHL 1976
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Otway Bird Nance moved his family from Kentucky to this Dallas County land in 1851, securing title through the Peters Colony in 1856. The farmhouse begun in the 1850s was later enlarged with Victorian detailing and even rotated to face east in the early 1900s, while its barn, curing shed, and elevated water tank survived alongside it. The family held the place until 1951, and De Soto acquired it in 1975.
Why it matters
The Nance Farm preserves a rare, intact picture of a working pioneer homestead evolving over a century, from frontier settlement to a city's heritage site.
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Related people
- · Otway Bird Nance
Related events
- · Peters Colony settlement
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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