Brittany Kelley
KYLE — After six years of closure, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Claiborne Kyle Log House reopened its doors to community members Saturday, May 16, with a Central Texas Preservation Month Party.
According to its website, the Kyles — Claiborne and Lucy — moved to Gonzales from Mississippi, prior to settling in Kyle. The Kyles owned more than 2,000 acres of land along the Blanco River, where they raised animals and enslaved more men and women — 38 — than others in the county.
On this land, they built the four-pen dogtrot log home in 1850 for their nine children, one of whom later died. The rare building is still in its original location, which is what makes it special, shared Claiborne Kyle Log House Commission chairman Kate Johnson.
“It’s the only one of its kind in the southwest in its original location,” she said. “It was made of cedar logs, square notched at the ends and put together by pegs [and] the roof is cedar shake shingles.”
Typically, a dogtrot home, which has an open center and leads to rooms on either side, only has two rooms, but the Claiborne house has four.
Johnson emphasized that there is great history in the house and even more waiting to be discovered, as there are archeological studies being prepared to determine more information. For example, there is currently a search for other foundational properties in the area, three of which have been discovered. There has also been pottery found in the ground — potentially the first artifacts of Claiborne and Lucy.
“There are just wonderful stories in this house, so I can’t wait to tell [visitors] about it and then, for them to learn about the archeological studies that they’re going to do out here. They’ll kind of grow up; the youngsters will grow up with this house, which is great,” she said.
Not only is there archeological history, but city history, as well. One of the Kyles’ sons was Fergus Kyle — former Confederate captain — whom the town was named after.
Although excited for the opening, Johnson acknowledged that there is immense work to be done to bring the house back to its former glory, such as new flooring, windowsills, foundation and more. Still, she and the other commission members are ready to let community members back into the house to learn more on tours, beginning at the end of May, each Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
“I mean, we can’t just wait ’til we get everything finished,” said the chairman. “It’s important that we show people how it’s going to be evolving through time and I hope they come along for the ride … This house is one of the jewels of Hays County and there’s nothing like it elsewhere. We need to preserve and protect it and once you come out here, you’ll just fall in love with the place.”
She noted that in order to run these tours, volunteers are needed. For those interested, call Johnson at 512-644-7669.
The Claiborne Kyle Log House is located at 2400 Old Stagecoach Road. For more information, visit www.kyleloghouse.org.
