Another old Pipe Creek building saved

The Pipe Creek area has been in steady renaissance mode for a number of years as locals and others work to save the many historical buildings in the area.

The Pipe Creek Dance Hall and Polly Chapel are two examples of that effort to keep the history alive.

One of the more recent examples of a building rescue is a property at 9742 SH 16 owned by husband and wife Mike and Caren Easterling.

He is a realtor, and she is an architect and designer.

“My wife saves dogs and saves buildings,” Mike Easterling joked, adding this is her latest property.

The couple has lived in Pipe Creek for 16 years and work in the area.

The Easterlings learned about the location late last year.

“We bought the property in January this year and gutted the building and did a restoration inside like plumbing and electrical and outside with new windows and washing the limestone façade,” Caren Easterling said, adding they are trying to save history and have an upscale edifice for the community.

“My wife has a passion for restoration that is historical and functional and a place that can be used for many things like wine tasting events and an office and more,” Mike Easterling said.

The 1947 property was once a post office and the full property has a barn, water well and a basement, according to the Easterlings.

The Easterlings said they are open to a number uses for their building including working with the nearby Pipe Creek Dance Hall.

“We hope to inspire others to save and restore other Pipe Creek historic buildings and locations,” Caren Easterling said.

Pipe Creek General Store and Dancehall owner Bruce Martin bought the three-acre property in 2014 and has been working since to make more improvements.

The Polly Chapel and other Polly buildings like the school have been improved and others are planned to be improved.

For more information about the building at 9742 SH 16, call 210 365 6067 or 210 365 7369.