Built in 1908 in Hartley, Texas, from a set of Sears Roebuck house plans, this stately 4 bedroom, 2.75 bath home has an oversized garage, an office, a sunroom, and a secluded mother-in-law’s quarters. 

George Atkinson promised his wife, May, that if she would move out to the Hartley ranch, he would build her a big house.  May agreed and the home was built from lumber purchased in Louisiana.  The cost of the new home in 1908 was $10,000 which would have been a nice chunk of money in those days.  But bad times fell on the Atkinsons so the house was moved to its current location at 606 Keeler.

The story goes that the first 14 miles of the 17-mile trip were made in two days, but the last 3 miles took about 8 weeks.  The roads were narrow and the house overhung the sides of the Rita Blanca canyon.  The moving crew decided to take a short cut, but the home became stuck in the sand.  Blocks, cables, cross ties, and 4 mules were used to pull the house across the track made out of cross ties.  Some days the house only moved a matter of inches!

“The house was so well built that, despite the rigors of the move, it suffered extraordinarily little damage.  Even the walls were in good shaped when the house arrived at its destination.”  From 1918 to 1927, May Atkinson kept boarders to support the family.  It’s an interesting story that is detailed in an article found in the dining room of the home, along with a picture of the actual move, and an original leaded glass window from the home.

The character, history, and memorabilia makes this home one-of-a-kind and will transfer to the new owners.

Schedule your showing soon!