Wells Branch Homestead

Wells Branch Homestead The Wells Branch Homestead is a small history museum dedicated to providing enjoyable, educational tours and programs that promote Texas frontier life.

In the 1850s, central Texas was largely unsettled frontier. Danger lurked in the wilderness. The land was rough, the wild animals were vicious, and at that time, the settlements near Austin were on the edge of Comanche country. Pioneers knowingly moved into the territory of the most feared and dangerous tribe in the land. The settlers coming to Texas at this time were the toughest of tough and the

bravest of brave. The Wells Branch Homestead was built in 1853 by John M. and Martha Gault. The couple was originally from Tennessee and traveled by covered wagon to their new home. The Gaults had 11 children, one of whom was born in the cabin. Over the years, the home was enlarged. What was originally a one-room cabin became the modest home one sees today. Presently, the homestead site contains the cabin and several outbuildings including a smoke house, corn crib, syrup-cooking shed, a wash shed, and an outhouse. The intent of the Wells Branch Homestead is to offer visitors a chance to step back in time to the 1850s and learn about the daily life of the pioneers through tours and hands-on programs. To quote Bill Todd (1920-2011), Wells Branch historian, “The homestead is both a symbol of change and a link between past and present. Pioneer values like ingenuity, resourcefulness and recycling have endured. Texas always will be a frontier as long as imagination survives.”

04/22/2026

No Pioneer Pals today (April 22). See you next week.
🌻

03/18/2026

No Pioneer Pals storytime today.(3/18)

03/11/2026

No Pioneer Pals storytime today (3/11) or next Wednesday (3/18). Happy Spring Break!

01/28/2026

No Pioneer Pals storytime today (01/28/26). See you next week at the Homestead.

10/15/2025

No Pioneer Pals storytime program today. (10/15/25)
See you next week!

04/01/2025

No Pioneer Pals storytime program this Wednesday, April 2. See you
next week. 🌻

02/19/2025

Brrr! It’s cold outside! No Pioneer Pals storytime today.(02/19/25) 🌻

02/12/2025

No Pioneer Pals today (02/12/25). Stay dry and cozy, and we’ll see you next time. 🌻

01/29/2025

No Pioneer Pals today (01/29/25). Stay dry and we’ll see you next week. 🌻

01/22/2025

No Pioneer Pals storytime today (01/22/25). See you next week at the Homestead.

01/08/2025

No Pioneer Pals storytime today (01/08/25). Stay warm this morning, and we’ll see you next week at the Homestead.

Address

2106 Klattenhoff Drive
Austin, TX
78728

Telephone

(512) 251-9814

Website

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