10/16/2025
Originally called The Ramsey House.
4412 Avenue B, Austin, Texas
Only 3 Families have owned this home since 1900!
Who wants to be the 4th?
The History according to the seller:
It get a little murky on the exact dates in the early years of the 1800's, but what I could ascertain from abstracts on this property, is that George Rockwell received the land from the President of the Republic of Texas, Mr. Mirabeau Lamar in 1841.
The estate of Mr. Rockwell then sold the parcels to Kansas & Texas Land and Town Company, of which the president of this company was Monroe Shipe. Via the company, Mr. Shipe gave land in Hyde Park to be used by the public. Shipe Neighborhood Park, on 45th & Avenue G.
Frank Thomas Ramsey married Annabelle Sinclair in 1884. In 1894, they bought lots on Avenue B in Hyde Park, and bought land in the Rosedale are for his fruit tree orchards. He began developing land in the Rosedale area for his nursery reaching upwards of 430 acres, and their home at 45th & Avenue B. Where the house still stands today. Lots 28-32 Block 8, Hyde Park.
Fun Fact: Ramsey was nicknamed "Fruit Tree" from his initials. He discovered, or originated and introduced several domestic fruit varieties.
Fun fact: Mr. Ramsey built a house in the middle of the orchard for his caretaker Mr. Brown. His son went on to build and operate Brown's florist.
My family perception of history, is the Ramseys set up the first floor as living space and had a second exterior door to their office. Thus, the two exterior doors side by side off the front porch. The second floor was renovated for their son as an apartment with a separate entrance for the apartment on the outside of the house.
In 1944 the Ramsey siblings sold the house to Riley Meeker and his wife, Lillian Mae. The Meekers did renovations to the house in 1944.
On September 7, 1951, the Meekers sold the house to Bertie Belle and Freddie Bibb Sturdivant. The Sturdivants had Mid-Tex Dairy on 1st street until they retired in the 1960's. After Mrs. Sturdivant died in 1999, her daughter Virginia Woods inherited the home. Mrs. Woods passed in June of 2025.
There are 2 Oak Trees on this property that have to be 200-300 years old! They are massive! Huge lot!