Wells Branch Homestead

In the 1850s, central Texas was largely unsettled frontier. Danger lurked in the wilderness. The land was rough, the wild animals were vicious, and at that time, the settlements near Austin were on the edge of Comanche country. Pioneers knowingly moved into the territory of the most feared and dangerous tribe in the land. The settlers coming to Texas at this time were the toughest of tough and the bravest of brave.

The Wells Branch Homestead was built in 1853 by John M. and Martha Gault. The couple was originally from Tennessee and traveled by covered wagon to their new home. The Gaults had 11 children, one of whom was born in the cabin. Over the years, the home was enlarged. What was originally a one-room cabin became the modest home one sees today. Presently, the homestead site contains the cabin and several outbuildings including a smoke house, corn crib, syrup-cooking shed, a wash shed, and an outhouse.

The intent of the Wells Branch Homestead is to offer visitors a chance to step back in time to the 1850s and learn about the daily life of the pioneers through tours and hands-on programs.

To quote Bill Todd (1920-2011), Wells Branch historian, “The homestead is both a symbol of change and a link between past and present. Pioneer values like ingenuity, resourcefulness and recycling have endured. Texas always will be a frontier as long as imagination survives.”