DOwnTOWN ROUND ROCK, TEXAS
Round Rock Mercantile
The Economy Drug Store Building was initially constructed as a one-story structure, accommodating Round Rock Mercantile, the largest dry goods store in the town. Soon after, a second-floor façade was added, showcasing materials such as pressed tin and iron, which were popular during that era. The storefront canopy remains intact, and inside, one can find displays of pharmaceuticals dating back to the earliest years of its operation.
Address: 202 & 204 E. Main St.
Koughan Memorial Water Tower Park
The vintage water tower continues to stand as an enduring landmark in Round Rock. In the 1930s, it played a pivotal role in a substantial WPA project. This initiative not only delivered water and sewer services to the majority of Round Rock residents but also created employment opportunities for citizens during the challenging times of the Great Depression. Each December, the city adorns the water tower with holiday lights.
Address: 200 Round Rock Ave.
J.A. Nelson & Company
This location marks the site of one of Round Rock's most expansive stores. The combination of metal and stone was a popular architectural trend around the turn of the century, and the J.A. Nelson building stands out as one of the finest examples in Central Texas. Constructed from limestone, it features an elaborate cast iron and pressed tin facade crafted by Mesker Bros. of St. Louis. Initially, it functioned as a lumberyard and hardware store, earning the name "the Nelson Hardware Company." The company supplied a significant portion of the materials for the historic homes that still grace Round Rock. The Nelson Bank was also housed in the same establishment, operating until 1954. Subsequently, the building served as the Round Rock Chicken Hatchery, accommodating thousands of chicks, and later, the Williamson County Farmer's Co-op operated from here until 1983.
Address: 201 & 203 E. Main St.
“WOODBINE” Nelson-Crier House
This residence was constructed for Andrew and Hedvig Nelson, immigrants from Sweden who achieved prosperity as farmers and owners of a cotton gin and other enterprises. Initially featuring a large, round tower, the house now showcases Ionic columns facing Main Street. The residence was home to three generations of Nelsons until 1960 when Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Crier Goodrich acquired it. Mrs. Goodrich named the house "Woodbine" after the Virginia creeper that adorned its walls. In 2019, the house underwent renovation and remodeling. Presently known as the Woodbine Mansion, it serves as an event venue.
Address: 405 E. Main St.
Otto Reinke Building
This intricately carved limestone building displays meticulously proportioned arches and window details, establishing itself as one of the premier examples in Downtown. Initially believed to have served as a bakery under Otto Reinke, the structure suffered a devastating fire in 1963, leaving only the exterior limestone walls intact. Following a period of vacancy, the fire-damaged building underwent repairs and interior modernization in 1970.
Address: 102 E. Main St.
Old Broom Factory
Constructed in 1876, the Old Broom Factory Building originally functioned as a general mercantile and furniture store. From 1887 to 1912, the Round Rock Broom Company operated within these walls, producing a broom that earned a gold medal at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. Following its broom-manufacturing days, the building served various purposes, including use as a school, skating rink, and automobile repair shop. Recognizable for its limestone structure, distinct stepped front parapet, keystone arch door, and ornamental window openings, the building underwent restoration in 1969 and received designation as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1970.
Address: 100 E. Main St.
Kopperal's Store Or Koppel's
As one of the earliest structures in Downtown Round Rock, this stone building was originally constructed as a dry goods store. It holds historical significance as the location where the infamous shoot-out between Sheriff A.W. Grimes and Sam Bass began.
Address: 107 E. Main St.
Sam Bass Death Site
Following his fatal encounter, the ailing Sam Bass was accommodated in a small shack situated at the intersection of present-day Round Rock Avenue, Main Street, and Mays Street. Sam Bass's final resting place is in the Round Rock Cemetery, and the road leading to the cemetery bears the name of the notorious bandit.
Address: Round Rock Ave., Main St. & Mays St.
Old Masonic Lodge & Post Office
Initially utilized for offices and lodge meetings upon its construction, this building later transitioned into the post office for the "new" Round Rock in the late 1800s. Erected by A.L. Bowers, the structure boasts a stunning façade adorned with an ornate pattern crafted from uniquely shaped stones and intricate brick detailing.
Address: 107 S. Mays St.