ROBERT E. LEE HOUSE
525 S. Main
OWNERS: :John O'Grady in 1859. Dedeker, Harkreader, Stotts, Michael Schoch; Lloyd Voigt
DESCRIPTION: The medallion was stolen and has never been replaced. It is said that this building, which is all that is left of a large complex of buildings, was the place that Robert E. Lee would stay on trips while travelling between camps.
HISTORY: John G. O'Grady came from Westport,Ireland and settled on
the south bank of the Cibolo Creek on the fringe of the settlement of Boerne,
Texas. The land was bought on May 10, 1859. The old government trail between San
Antonio and the Forts of McKavitt, Concho and Mason passed by his front door.
This building is all that is left of the original buildings. Robert E. Lee is
said to have stayed here when on trips between Camp Verde and Ft. Sam Houston in
San Antonio. Merrill Bishop and Joseph Roemer writing in "The Gentleman
Commander" quote him at dinner here in the 1860s.
O'Grady was a government
contractor,supplying feed for the government teams which plied the old trail. He
was an Indian fighter and participated in the last Indian fights in the
neighborhood of Boerne and Sisterdale. During the years of 1866 to 1869 he was
Postmaster of Boerne.
The O'Grady's opened a stage station here where
travelers could dine or stay overnight.
Source: Boerne Public Library files.