Charles Weber Farm On South Main St.

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Does anyone know about the Charles Weber & Rice University saga? Apparently, Charles Weber was holding onto some valuable pig farm land that Rice wanted. Eventually, he caved in and sold to the university.

Map Showing Rice Institute Property.

The accompanying map shows the Rice Institute location, three miles from the center of the city on Main Street Road, the road leading right alongside the property from the South End, Southmore and Kenilworth Grove additions.  

The map begins at Eagle avenue.

The white squared marked “Dupont” and “Charles Weber” are small pieces of property which the trustees could not secure. The Weber property having been occupied as a home and truck garden for a number of years.

In the northern edge of the 102-acre tract there is a large grove of stately forest trees, while the lower portion of the sity-seven-acre tract is dotted with the large forest trees.

The stream winding through the proper is Brays Bough, which will give through drainage. This stream, in addition to furnishing drainage is acceptable of terracing and landscaping. Altogether the location is ideal in every particular.
Nether Proof.

Lovett nor the trustees are ready to make any announcement as to the character of the buildings or educational policy, but they are all busy with these matters.

Bought Land for $1000;
Sells it for $56,000

An indicator of the expansion of Houston land values within the last 47 years was given Wednesday when Charles Weber and wife sold a tract of land lying opposite the Rice Institute on Main street boulevard for $6000. The tract was less than three acres and was the last of 10-acre plot bought by Mr. Weber in 1872 for $1000.  The 10 acres have brought $56,000 to the owner since his original purchase.
The tract across from Rice Institute was bought by R.W. Franklin, who acts as trustee for other interests. The land will not be used for furthering private enterprises, according to Mr. Franklin. The deed to the three acre tract was filed Wednesday in the district clerk's office.

Record Price Paid
For Main Street Acreage By The Rice Institute.
Seven acres Were Purchased Yesterday From Charles Weber for a Consideration of $50,000.

Seven Acres Bring $50,00
Charles Weber, a truck framer out Main street road, south of Houston sold, sold seven acres of land adjusting the site of Rice Institute for $50,000 cash.

The processional at Rice's formal opening ceremonies almost had to be rerouted at the last minute for what Porcine reason?

Thanks to our generous clue, all the contestants realized the answer had something to do with pigs.

Despite answers ranging from runaway pigs to disparaging comments about Rice women, the real answer lies with farmer Charles Weber, who owned the last 10 acres of what would become the Rice grounds. Weber, whose pigsty lay adjacent to the processional route, refused to sell his parcel of land until the proverbial 11th hour.

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I am browsing Rice Institute master plans and I see the 10-acre Charles Web parcel.

One one map it makes it seem the parcel, in particular, was located on Old Main Street Road.  There are Charles Web parcels? One on Main Street, the other on Old Main Street Road?

 

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Rice article and pictures from Rice archives of a baron South Main.  Wild stuff!!

Charles Weber’s Farm
Posted on September 17, 2012 by Melissa Kean

A lot of Rice people are vaguely aware of some story about a guy with a pig farm near the Administration Building. There really is such a story—Mr. Weber had just over seven acres between the south end of the building and Main Street. Although there seem to have been some pigs on it, calling it a “pig farm” might imply a level of organization not strictly applicable. He was an old man and he didn’t want to leave, so he held out, extracting in the end over $7,000 per acre for his land from the Rice trustees. (The average amount paid to the other sellers was less than $700 per acre.) Unfortunately, the 1910 agreement also allowed him to remain on the premises for three and a half years. Unsurprisingly, his continued habitation became . . . . problematic.

https://ricehistorycorner.com/2012/09/17/charles-webers-farm/

Difficulties arose when Weber repeatedly fenced off his property in such a way as to cut off the road. By the time it was all over, the Rice board, weary and knowing that they would need that roadway for the opening procession, gave Weber an additional $800 to vacate the premises before the Institute’s formal opening. The fence was removed only days before the event.

Other pictures from the early 1900s:

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Found a very detailed map of the Charles Weber farm! Very cool.

W.M. Rice Institute Grounds Topographical Survey
1909

The parcel contained 2 barns, a shed, and a house.