One of the oldest and most beautiful houses in Gonzales was originally built as the Gonzales College. In 1851 stones for the structure were hauled to the building site by ox carts from Peach Creek, some 10 miles east of Gonzales. The two-story structure, measuring 60′ by 34′, was built by builder John Mooney and cost $7,250. The first classes began in 1853 with 50 students The first president was John Freeman Hillyer and the President of the Board of Trustees was Thomas J. Pilgrim, a distinguished educational leader. Pilgrim organized the first Sunday School in Texas in 1829. The original structure was designated as the Female College. In 1855 a second building was constructed, known as the Male College. When the Civil War began, the Male College was torn down and the materials used in the construction of Fort Waul, just north of Gonzales. At that time the college became co-educational. As early as 1857, bachelor of arts degrees were conferred upon female students, making this one of the earlier colleges in Texas to take this major step prior to the War Between The States. For the next 10 years, Gonzales College stood at the head of the state’s few educational institutions. During 1867 the building was remodeled. In 1891 it was purchased for $2,000 by W.M. Atkinson, a graduate of the college and a community leader. He remodeled the structure using stones from his father’s old manor house south of the city. The east wing addition is of stone from the Maurin Quarry on Peach Creek. The original characteristics were preserved and an iron fence was built around the house. A cupola was added with a spiral staircase leading to a lookout tower. It was later removed. The house has eight fireplaces with mantels made of Gonzales walnut. The floors are tongue-and-groove pine planking overlaid with oak. The Atkinsons retained the house until the 1940’s. The house was purchased in 1962 and it was restored and furnished to reflect the period during which Atkinson owned it.
