Round Rock's historic Palm House moved close to original location
A historic house in downtown Round Rock was relocated Tuesday evening as the city prepares to renovate the former library.
The Andrew J. Palm House was moved from 212 E. Main St. to 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd. The move was approved the by Historic Prevention Commission on Dec. 12. At its new location, the house will be northwest of its original location at the Old Settlers Association property.
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The city will submit restoration plans to the commission and add a relocation marker at the new location, city officials said. They said Austin-based Heimsath Architects led the move and had developed plans for the preservation of the house.
The move will allow the city to build a walkway to connect Prete Plaza and the courtyard for the new library, officials said. The former library will become the new home for the Round Rock Visitors Center, a two-story arts and culture gallery and the Round Rock Chamber.
The Palm House was built in 1873 by the Palm family, a key part of the Swedish immigrant community in the area now known as Palm Valley. The home was later moved to the Palm Farm, now the Old Settlers Association grounds and Old Settlers Park. Later generations of the Palm family donated the house to the Round Rock Chamber, and it served as the Palm Museum from 1976 until 2021.
City officials said that several Palm Farm structures remain at the Old Settlers Association grounds, including a second home known as the Palm Mansion. The association grounds host several educational events with the Williamson Museum, including Pioneer Day and Midsommar.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Round Rock's historic Palm House moved to make room for renovations
