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Early RepublicReconstruction & Gilded Age

Nelson-Crier House

Round Rock, Williamson County, Texas

Marker Inscription

In 1854, Andrew J. and Hedwig Nelson of Sweden settled here. Hard-working in many businesses, Nelson (d. 1895) prospered. His widow and heirs had this house built by Page Brothers, Austin architects, 1895-1900. A son, Thomas Edward, and wife had Dallas architect Wilson McClure restyle Victorian facade to Classical Revival in 1931. Three generations of Nelsons lived here. In 1960, Eugene N. and Jean Crier Goodrich bought and renovated the mansion and named it Woodbine. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1973

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Andrew J. and Hedwig Nelson emigrated from Sweden and settled at Round Rock in 1854, where Andrew prospered in a range of businesses before his death in 1895. His widow and heirs commissioned Austin's Page Brothers to build this house, and in 1931 a later generation had Dallas architect Wilson McClure restyle its Victorian front into Classical Revival. Three generations of Nelsons lived here before Eugene and Jean Crier Goodrich bought and restored the mansion in 1960, naming it Woodbine.

Why it matters

The Nelson-Crier House traces a Swedish immigrant family's rise across three generations and reflects how successful settlers reshaped their homes to match changing American architectural fashions.

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Related people

  • · Andrew J. Nelson
  • · Hedwig Nelson

Themes & tags

Nearby & related markers

Andrew J. Palm House

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Andrew J. Palm sailed from Sweden in 1853 with his mother and brothers and settled at Palm Valley, a Swedish community north of Round Rock, on land bought from immigration agent S. M. Swenson. About 1873 he hauled cypress and pine down from Austin to build this house, where he and his wife Carolina raised their eight children. The home was relocated to Round Rock in 1976 and recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.

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