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Grandeur of Gonzales
John Fauth, born April 7, 1833, in Derrenbach, Bavaria,
Germany. He immigrated to the United States through
New York in 1852. He and his family came to Gonzales
in 1858 and John opened up his own business. He built
carriages, buggies, barrels and fine furniture from the
abundance of native walnut in this area.
Although the Texas Historical Marker indicates that
the house was built around 1857 by John Fauth, this is
unlikely since Fauth didn't purchase the property until
1868. He purchased the lots from D.S.H. Darst and paid
only $300 for the two lots. A review of the tax value
records indicates that this Gothic Revival style cottage
was probably completed in 1868 with modifications in
JOHN FAUTH HOUSE
521 St. Peter Street
1884. It was constructed of lumber hauled from the
port of Indianola and has served as a residence, school
teacher's boarding house and barrel shop. Upon the
death of Mr. Fauth, Ross Boothe, Sr. bought the
property in 1927. It was owned by Morris Keck in
1991 and bought by Dr. William and Mayron Ellis
Cole in 2004 who rescued it from demolition and
did a complete restoration paying special attention
to historic details.
Photograph By Clinton Hille
