If these walls could talk...

The land that is now Block House MUD had previously been part of Blockhouse Fort, built in 1838 by the Republic of Texas. The fort consisted of a cedar blockhouse and stockade built around a spring and big lookout tree, and was manned by rangers. A blockhouse is defined as a strong wooden fort with a projecting second story and openings in the walls for defenders to shoot from. At the time, the only timber was along the banks of small creeks leaving a clear view of the horizon. Rangers perched in the treetop watched the surrounding countryside for far-off dust clouds that meant raiders were coming, and settlers could bring their families, cattle and possessions into the fort for protection. However, the fort was burned in 1839 by Indians and never rebuilt.

Alexander Stuart (A.S.) Walker came to Texas from Virginia by way of Indiana. His father practiced law with David G. Burnet, the old Texas revolutionary and J. Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of Texas.

A. S. Walker moved to Georgetown in 1853 and was named district clerk and district attorney. He was elected district judge in 1862, while serving in the Confederate Army. After the Civil War, the U.S. Army removed him from office. Late in 1865, Alexander Stuart Walker, Jr. was born. Soon after the Civil War, Judge A. S. Walker acquired possession of the Block House land in payment for legal services.

A. S. Walker returned to Austin and launched a newspaper called The Democratic Statesman and served as its first editor-in-chief. He practiced law with Alexander W. Terrell, a war hero and populist activist. Later, Terrell would become ambassador to Turkey and state senator, authorizing legislation to construct the state capitol. Terrell County in West Texas is named in his honor. Walker served as a district judge and Texas Supreme Court justice. He died in 1896.

The younger Walker attended Southwestern University and Washington & Lee, and returned to Austin to become one of UT’s first law students. After graduation in 1886, he joined the law practice with Terrell and T.W. Gregory. Gregory was a lifelong supporter of the University of Texas, and he’s the namesake of Gregory Gym. Gregory later served as attorney general in President Woodrow Wilson’s cabinet.

A.S. Walker Jr. became county attorney and was twice elected county judge in Travis County. In 1900, he returned to Williamson County, to his ranch that is now Block House MUD and lived in the Walker House we know today. He returned to public life in 1913 when President Wilson named him collector of Internal Revenue for the district that included Texas. He and his wife Katherine (the daughter of UT president Dr. Leslie Waggener) had two children. His daughter Frances was Phi Beta Kappa at UT but died at the age of 24, just a few weeks after her father assumed his internal revenue duties. A son, also known as A.S. Walker Jr. was in charge of the family’s Williamson County land until he became an officer in World War I.

The Walker House is currently unavailable for rentals as the current configuration required for social distancing and Board meetings does not provide the space or set up for small gatherings.

Walker House policies are stated in the Walker House Rules. The information below is a summary, but please refer to the document for the complete rules.

• The maximum occupancy is 50 persons.
• No commercial activity or use without prior Board approval.
• No reservations may be made for holidays.
• No tape, staples, pins, tacks or nails are to be put on or into ceiling or walls.
• No piñatas or confetti in the Walker House or on the surrounding grounds.
• No candles.
• No cooking.
• No open flames.
• No furniture may be moved other than the table and four chairs in the “Main Room”. Additional tables and chairs may be brought in and set up in the “Terrace Room” only.
• All private parties must end and all participants depart the facility by 11 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and by 12 p.m. (midnight) on Friday and Saturday.
• All rules and regulations for the Parks must be followed.
• No bicycles, skateboards or skates.
• No pets at the Walker House.
• No destructive activities.
• No disorderly, dangerous or offensive conduct.
• No profanity.
• No illegal or controlled substances.

• No smoking.

• No motor-driven vehicles or equipment are permitted in any grassy or unpaved area. Vehicles are permitted to park within parking lots only. Parking lots are for park patron use only. No overnight parking of vehicles. Violators may be towed at the expense of the violator.

• No signs or advertising may be attached to or placed on District property.

• No amplified or live music that (i) creates vibrations apparent by direct means, such as touch or visual observation of moving objects, to a person of normal sensitivities beyond the boundaries of the Walker House or (ii) that is audible outside the boundaries of the Walker House will be permitted without Board approval. No music that promotes violence or illegal or abusive behavior. No amplified music in a vehicle that is audible or causes a vibration 30 feet from the vehicle.

• If alcoholic beverages are served, the host of the party will be required to hire the District’s security contractor to staff the party at an additional charge equal to the hourly rate charged under the District’s contract with the contractor. Time will be charged from the time any alcohol is brought onto the premises until the event has ended and all alcohol has been removed from the premises.

• Trash must be collected and disposed of in the receptacles provided. If the receptacles are full, put all debris in plastic garbage bags, tie the bags securely, and place them next to the trash bins.

• Damage to District property is a crime. To discourage such activity, the District has increased security patrols. The District will pay $500 to anyone providing information that leads to the apprehension and conviction of persons causing damage to District property. Persons causing damage to District property will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. To report such activity, please call the Williamson County Sheriff’s office at 943-1389. For emergency calls only dial 911.