Seelhorst-Lehrmann House

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker says about the Seelhorst-Lehrmann House in Washington County. Now settle in, because this is a story told in brick and copper and rainwater. Around 1879, a German settler by the name of W.

E. Seelhorst built this place. And if you're thinking that sounds like a man who knew what he was doing, well, the marker backs you up.

Seelhorst built many fine Brenham houses, and this one was among them. Handsome Victorian residence, they call it. Thirteen-inch plastered brick walls.

Ground floor rooms measuring eighteen by eighteen feet. That's not a room, friend, that's a statement. But here's the detail that'll stay with you on a long stretch of highway: the copper roof.

Rain falls on that roof, and instead of just running off into the dirt, it gets piped down to a cistern on the back porch. Somebody thought that through. Somebody planned for the dry days while they were still standing in the wet ones.

About 1883, a nephew named Adolph moved in, along with his wife Louisa, born Winterfelt, Seelhorst by marriage. The family held onto this house from 1891 all the way to 1944. That's a long stretch of seasons pouring off that copper roof and filling that cistern.

Then in 1944, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lehrmann purchased it, and a new name joined the house. Two families, one roof, and the rain just keeps coming down.

What the marker says

Handsome Victorian residence with 18' x 18' ground floor rooms; 13" plastered brick walls; and a copper roof from which rain is piped to cistern on back porch. Constructed about 1879 by W. E. Seelhorst, a German settler who built many fine Brenham houses. About 1883 a nephew Adolph and wife, Louisa (Winterfelt) Seelhorst, moved here. Their family owned the house 1891-1944. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lehrmann purchased it in 1944. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1973