Hill Country Homes

The term, Hill Country homes, refers to an architectural style of housing found in the part of central Texas, known as the Texas Hill Country. In the early history of the Republic of Texas, before Texas joined the United States, a land rush began in the middle of the 19th Century. This land rush to central Texas included many immigrants from Germany. They created settlements with names like Fredricksburg, Bergheim, Boerne, Gruene, New Braunfels, and many others. These early German immigrants to Texas made their living farming and ranching. Homes were built using materials found right on the ground using materials such as cypress wood, cedar, adobe brick and limestone. The original Hill Country homes were quite simple with straight roofs. The German immigrants mixed some of their own personal influences such as elaborate mill work on the porches and gables.

Texas hill country also had influence from Alsatian French immigrants who were part of the Castroville group as well as Scottish immigrants. It was not simply a German influence but was an evolution from earlier pioneer building techniques once skilled craftsmen and more abundant building materials became available. Built in Texas (1979)edited by Francis Edward Abernathy and Early Texas Architecture (2000) by Gordon Echols are both excellent reference material.