THE VILLAGE BUILDINGS
We have nine homes, business and outbuildings which were
brought together from all around Gonzales County. In addition, our Pioneer Opry
Stage, Saloon, blacksmith and wheelwright shops contain authentic equipment and
complete the story of an early Texas small town. The structures are furnished and
as you visit each one we hope it feels as if the owner just stepped out for a moment.
1 - Knowles-Townsend - 1840s
Built in the mid-1840s in a double pen (room) central chimney style. Very few homes
were built in this style in the warm climate of South Texas. Most early log homes were a dog-trot
(porch in the middle) or a single room type. This is called a “saddle bag” because of the chimney
in the center with two rooms hanging off either side. Access to each room is only from the porches.
2 - Restrooms - 1980s
Our restrooms are somewhat more modern than the outdoor “privy” on display out front. Also
referred to as “the necessary”, the early facilities were a major step up from a visit to the
woods prior to their development. Our restrooms even boast a shower room for the historians
who periodically help us out with events and usually spend a night or two camping out on the
grounds.
3 - Muenzler House - 1890s
This Greek Revival style home was built in 1892 in Cost, Texas, by Wilhelm and
Augusta Muenzler. They were prominent in this small community about eight miles from Gonzales,
and usually provided room and board for the resident schoolteacher or traveling preacher.
Furnishings in the rooms reflect a typical 1890s home in rural areas. This house also contains
our museum cases with changing displays. In the entry hall, there is information and artifacts
from Ft. Waul, a Civil War era dirt-walled supply fort with a moat which is adjacent to Gonzales
Pioneer Village.
4 - Pioneer Opry House -
This multi-use area was built for use by our “Pioneer Pickers Band”, as well as other
entertainment such as plays, melodramas, story telling and medicine shows. It has served us
well and is a central area for our visitors to view old-time entertainment!
5 - Hindman Broom Shop - 1880s
The broom-making equipment housed here was originally bought by Bennie Hindman from a business
in San Antonio. He relocated to Gonzales and operated his broom business with his son J. P.
Hindman. When they ceased operating the business, J. P. collected all the equipment and stored
it. The brooms that are made on this kind of equipment look exactly like the “shoulder” brooms
available in stores today. They are still made in little factories very much the same as ours,
except that today they sew the brooms automaticall instead of by hand, and the “foot power” of
our equipment has been replaced with motors.
6 - Saloon -
Our saloon is built from materials from an old late 1800s home here in Gonzales. The
home was dismantled and Mr. And Mrs. James Knandel donated some of them to Gonzales Pioneer
Village for use in our saloon. We sell concessions from it and at certain events, you can still
buy a sarsparilla from the proprietor!
7 - Blacksmith Shop - 1880s
The town blacksmith was one of the most sought after tradesmen during the last of
the 19th century. Towns and villages without one of these skilled persons would sometimes offer
free land for their shop to tempt them to set up in their area. Our blacksmith shop houses
hand-forged equipment from the 1880s and 1890s which was actually used in this area. At most of
our events our blacksmith demonstrates the use of these tools and displays many useful and
beautiful items which can be made.
Adjacent to the blacksmith shop is our Wheelwright’s shop where wooden wagon and buggy wheels were made or repaired.
8 - Smokehouse - 1870s
One of the most important outbuildings in early Texas, the smokehouse was one of the
main ways to preserve meat. Both hot and cold smoking was practiced, but hot smoking was the
most common method. A hanging beam next to the smokehouse made processing large animals more
manageable.
9 - Schindler Barn - 1870s
This barn, built in the 1870s on a plantation east of Gonzales, is a classic example
of a farm outbuilding found in South Texas. It was used to protect tack for horses, mules and
oxen, cotton, wool, hay, and other items from the elements. The logs were not chinked to alow
for air circlation. The attached corn crib is still used to store corn which is shucked and
ground into meal as a demonstration for school children on tour. Sheds on either side were used
to protect wagons, implements and animals.
10 - Granary - 1860s
The only survivor of an original six structure complex under a common roof, it would
have stored seeds and gains for the coming year, and would possibly be used to shell corn for
customers with its large commercial shellers. Seeds and cotton mights also have been bought or
sold here. Its rock floor helped to protect from insects and weather.
11 - Gazebo -
Our gazebo is used for “shady” demonstrating by our visiting craftsmen and women at
many events. It is also a focal point during our winter “Stars” in the Village 1800s trail of
lights with its roof star and twinkling lights.
12 - Gates Ranch House - 1856
Samuel Hardin Gates built this home on land given for his service in the Runaway
Scrape during the Texas Revolution. The home is built from whole elm and oak logs, covered with
cypress siding, and has glass windows which were brought by wagon from the coast. Little girls
slept in the loft upstairs, while the sons of the family shared the back room with work space for
making and repairing guns and rifles.
13 - Hamon Church - 1870s
The residents of the Hamon area South of Gonzales built this church for use as a
Presbyterian Church. It later became the Hamon Baptist Church and was attended by a circuit
riding preacher. This cypress-sided building has a theater floor and is still used for special
events, memorial services, special performances, and has been the site for twelve weddings.
If you would like more information about holding your wedding in the Hamon Church, please
contact the office for more information.
14 - St. Andrew Street House - 1890s
This small town dwelling was moved to Gonzales Pioneer Village to be used as our
office and gift shop. It was originally two rooms with a shed addition as a kitchen. The gift
shop inside holds truly unique items for special gift giving, or as a memento of your visit to
our early Texas village. You may also pick up brochures about our town and area, or browse books
written by locals about our foods or our ghosts!