Judge Sebron Graham Sneed bought 470 acres of property south of Austin, Texas for farm they had purchased around a sum of $1,000 in 1854. Located on the 470 acre property was a single story structure called The Rock House. This limestone brick structure was called The Rock House was located on the former Sneed Plantation. The Rock House was once a plantation house purposed as a home for slave owners prior to the Civil War era. Not only did The Rock House serve as a home for slave owners, it served as a living quarters for slaves. The Horton-Duval House served as slave quarters for the Sneed family.
The Rock House was built by Sneed's slaves and completed in 1857. Construction was finished by hand. Some of the walls and all of the fireplaces were limestone that was quarried from the Sneed farm. Lumber was used for the roof and floors in this single unit structure. The Rock House was more than likely designed by architect and general contractor Abner Hugh Cook. The Rock House was also known as Thomas Sneed House, Horton-Duval Home, and Horton-Duval House.
The Sneed family owned 21 slaves by 1860. During the Civil War, this house and the Sneed House was used as a recruiting station and a Confederate hospital. Sebron Sneed later willed 55 acres of the Sneed Plantation property to his daughter Marinda Bledsoe in July 15, 1871. Marinda Bledsoe willed the Sneed Plantation property her daughter Rockie Bledsoe by 1916. The house was remodeled with improvements in 1920. The Sneed family lived on the farm property until August 1, 1922, when it was sold with 196.4 acres to Bledsoe's cousin, Calvin L. Hughes for $8,000. Calvin L. Hughes willed the property to his daughter Virgia Lo Cage. Virgia Lo Cage lived there until her death in 1965. Frances Sneed Simnacher owned the property for a short period of time as well.
In 1992, the former Horton-Duval House was sold to Robert T. Davis for an amount of $49,000. A home-run business called INTERNATIONAL MICRO FILM FOUNDATION, INC operated there from 1984 to 2002. Robert T. Davis and Associates, Inc. operated out of that house as well. Robert T. Davis shut down both of his businesses in 2002.
A fire mysteriously destroyed the house on March 2, 1996. The cause of this fire was unknown. It was most likely arson. The same way the Sneed House caught on fire mysteriously. Old structures such as this one are more prone to catch on fire.
An application for demolition to Horton-Duval House was filed by Majid Hemassi in 1998. A public on an appeal of the decision by the Texas Historic Landmark Commission to deny an application for a demolition permit for the Horton-Duval House was denied on December 10, 1998. 2 appeals for an application for demolition were vehemently denied by the City of Austin due to a decision by the Texas Historic Landmark Commission citing the Horton-Duval House as a historic landmark despite not been having given a Texas Historic Landmark sign.
The Rock House is one of the few surviving pre-Civil War structures in the city of Austin. The few surviving pre-Civil War structures in Austin deteriorate further into despair with some structures or buildings almost beyond repair due to years of neglect, erosion, disaster, and vandalism. The Rock House is no exception to this case. Condition of The Rock House is quite the same condition as the Sneed House. The Horton-Duval House is a city historic landmark. Landmarks such as this one are important so we do not forget about our cultural history from the past.
Currently The Rock House lays in terrible condition almost beyond repair due to years of neglect. Overtime as years went by, The Rock House was vandalized by criminals and transients. Elements of neglect, vandalism, and erosion are evident. With signs of vegetation nature has taken over this place. It would take millions of dollars in an effort to revitalize or rebuild The Rock House due to its deteriorating condition. As of right now in 2017, there are no plans to demolish The Rock House. Majid Hemassi is the current owner.
[The Rock House is located at 6706 Bluff Springs Road, Austin, Texas, US 78744.]
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