§ Free House!

Imagine....
Someone tells you that this mansion from the early 1900s could be yours! FREE!!! --

Yes, you read correctly...free. Last week, after touring the 'new found' park in Refugio, Texas, upon our exiting on a different back street to the interstate, Bud and I spotted this house and thought "someone moved this from a plantation?". Well, I took the photo with my cellphone and then did some research online after returning home. I found this info:

There is a bit of historical value to this home. The Shelton House

This two-story Victorian mansion at 809 S. Alamo, was originally built by Ben Shelton who first started a business at Blanconia in Bee County. A little more than two years later he moved his stock of goods with 18 wagons to Refugio, and there set up as a general merchandiser in May, 1907. He owned two business buildings, farm lands, along with oil and gas interests. In 1907, Shelton built a "little bungalow" that was located to the north of the current Shelton house. In 1927 the bungalow was moved to the present location and additions were started including a second story. Shelton was a self made man, having attended a private college in Portland, Texas and later graduating from Alamo City Commercial College. He began work as a clerk for only $15 per month.

Come to find out, a couple from Corpus Christi got the deed. Again, FREE and clear. All they needed to do was pay to have the house moved from the previous, Alamo Street location to the present day locale in Refugio. It is reported that the house mover's charge was an estimated $170,000.00. They are now residing in the home while the couple are renovating it.

I could do that!!! I need to play the lottery more often!! My odds of winning wouldn't change tho. Bummer.  On 2nd thought, they can have it....I can only imagine and estimate the cost of the initial moving of the house expense, then the renovation?----close to a total sum of 1/2 million dollars?!!!

Refugio, Texas Parade of Historical Homes and Newspaper article of the moving