Texas Almanac, 1986-1987 Page: 83
768 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
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ADVERTISEMENT 83
'-
x R
yy S.THE HOMESTEAD AT WELLS BRANCH
by
PROVIDENT DEVELOPMENT
COMPANY
At the heart of Wells Branch, a 1,053 acre master-planned community by Provident
Development Company, lies the heritage of Texas. Wild Indians, tepees and pioneers
might be considered tales of the past, but the Wells Branch Homestead of Captain
Nelson Merrell, legendary Indian fighter and Texas Ranger, brings them to life.
The Wells Branch Homestead stands as a working pioneer museum built in 1937 for
Captain Nelson Merrell. Centered in Katherine Fleischer Park, the log cabin of cedar
and elm began Merrelltown, a settlement reborn as Wells Branch.
Provident stumbled upon the almost 150 year old cabin while building the Wells
Branch community. Rather than bulldoze this remnant of Texas' past, the company
chose to incorporate its historic value into the new community. Provident financed
the Homestead's restoration in 1982 and established a trust fund for its upkeep.
O. T. Baker, a former director of the Institute of Texas Cultures, restored the cabin
and constructed its surrounding smoke house, corn crib, syrup mill, wash shed and
three-hole outhouse, using only original material found on the grounds.
"Today the cry is that so many people are moving into Austin that developers are
destroying all of this natural habitat and pioneer look," said Baker. To help Provident
preserve Texas' past, Baker not only skillfully restored the Homestead, but he also
holds tours through it on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Assisted by Provident employee
Bill Todd, they demonstrate how Indian and frontier lifestyles developed during the
pioneer days, and fascinate listeners with tales of the past.
To get to Wells Branch, take the Pflugerville/1825 exit off IH 35 in north Austin,
and go west onto Wells Branch Parkway. To find the Homestead, turn right on
Wellsport Drive and left on Klattenhoff to Katherine Fleischer Park. For more
information on the Homestead, call Cheri Warfield, Provident Development
Company.
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Texas Almanac, 1986-1987, book, 1985; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth113818/m1/85/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.