Timeline

1832

James Smith traveled from North Carolina to Central Texas with his eldest son, Alfred, to scout for land. At the time, the Mexican government encouraged Anglo settlement in the region, hoping to strengthen and defend frontier communities.

1838

James Smith (1790–1845), believed to be among the first settlers in the area, returned with his family and enslaved laborers. He established a homestead along the Colorado River, where he operated a ferry crossing and worked with Jesse Tannehill and others to lay out the town of Montopolis—an ambitious early settlement that predated Austin and was briefly considered as a potential capital of the Republic of Texas.

1839

The Smith family expanded their holdings, purchasing four agricultural outlots totaling 50 acres east of the proposed city of Austin. Their investments also included a city block near the present-day Capitol, 10 acres between today’s East 5th and East 6th Streets near IH-35, and 400 acres near present-day Hancock Road. Like others, they speculated that Montopolis—set on high ground above the Colorado River—might be selected as the capital.

1840-1841

During the winter of 1840–1841, the Smith family’s farmhouse—now known as the Old Place of James Smith—was constructed using enslaved labor under the supervision of Alfred Smith. Nearly all materials were produced onsite, including lumber, shingles, flooring, and interior finishes; window glass was imported, as none was manufactured in the Republic of Texas at the time.A cedar picket fence enclosed the house and barnyard for protection. The surrounding landscape was open prairie dotted with live oaks, with Boggy Creek shifting its course through pecan and cypress groves to the south. The Colorado River lay one mile away.The Smiths operated a diversified farm, raising cattle and pigs while growing wheat, corn, cotton, and tobacco. Their crops were processed at a gristmill they owned along the river, contributing to the agricultural economy of early Austin.

December 23, 1841

A wedding supper celebrating Alfred Smith took place at the farmhouse, attended by President Sam Houston. Still recovering from injuries sustained at the Battle of San Jacinto, Houston arrived with the aid of a crutch and later wrote to his wife that the “eating doings were first rate throughout,” noting both the hospitality and the gathering of the young Texas community.​

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1845

On January 25, 1845, James Smith died in the house from a gunshot wound inflicted by his field overseer. Dr. Joseph Robertson attended him for 40 hours, later recording modest charges for his care.Smith’s oral will was witnessed by family friends, and his coffin was constructed by Abner Cook, a prominent early Austin builder. His widow, Elizabeth Smith—pregnant at the time—was granted the house and 50-acre farm. With the help of her children, she continued to operate the property as a productive agricultural enterprise. The farm remained in the Smith family until 1887.

1887

James Spence, a farmer from Scotland, and wife Mary lived in the house and farmed the land until 1902

1902

The property was purchased by Herman Siegmund, whose family farmed it and rented it to tenant farmers.

1930s

His daughter Bertha Siegmund Linscomb bought out her siblings and continued the farm’s operation.

1979

The now-reduced 5-acre property was sold to Don Wiginton, a local liquor store owner who practiced his golf shot from the back porch of the farm house. To this day, golf balls are found in the field a good 250+ feet from the farm house. Wiginton sought out the City of Austin Historic Landmark designation in 1980 and owned the property until 1991. 

1992

Larry Butler and Carol Ann Sayle, who had a passion for history and growing vegetables purchased the property. It had been vacant for over a year and vandals had stolen all but two original doors and all hardware. The chimneys were caved into the attic and the roof was 3 layers deep in shingles. Carol Ann and Larry lovingly restored the deteriorated farmhouse, and returned the land to active sustainable production— establishing what is now Historic Boggy Creek Farm. For over 30 years, the farm has been open to the public to buy veggies, attend historic home and urban farm tours, to seek advice for their gardens and to gather as a community. 

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Larry and Carol Ann's children share in their passions and plan to carry their Legacy into the future.