Long before Interstate 35 stretched far into the horizon, The Page House enjoyed its perch on Leander Road in Georgetown, sprawled across a 2,000-acre estate, without a SUV, motorcycle or 18-wheeler in site.

Although the first automobile was invented in 1886 and Ford started manufacturing the Model T in the early 1900s, the typical mode of transportation to be seen around Georgetown was more likely to be of the horse-driven variety.

Joseph M. Page built the Page House for his family in 1903, after experiencing the excitement of the California Gold Rush of 1849.

Known locally as 'Captain,' Page sailed to the west coast by way of Cape Horn and was considered an adventurer. Page was also a successful rancher, the town postmaster in 1865, and the proprietor of Page's Mineral Wells Steam Baths from the 1880s until the 1890s. Page was also a keen investor and when oil was discovered at Spindle Top in 1901, he 'made it' and sold the land for $100,000 and became one of the wealthiest men in Central Texas.

Page and his wife, Olivia, designed plans to build a two-story mansion of 10-12 rooms with a towering gabled roof, upstairs porches and porches on the south and east sides, electric lights, water, sewer and three fireplaces with mantles finished in pink and green tile. It was one of the first homes in the area furnished with indoor electricity and running water.

Page was influenced by his California travels and decided to create a home inspired with the Queen Anne theme, similar to the coastline homes he'd seen during his adventures. Built on a prominent hill overlooking Georgetown, it is one of the few 'ranch homes' that is still preserved in Williamson County.

Soon after the home was completed, Olivia died and Page sold the home to her brother, Thomas Decrow, who resided in the home with his family until 1921. In 1920, just prior to Decrow's death, he sold the family home and 500 acres to Horace McClure Weir and his wife Elizabeth Cecelia "Bessie" Rude. The town of ...

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