Do you want to know about a couple of events held in the month of December in Austin, Texas? On this episode of The Perfect Balance, I’m going to share two holiday events held here in Austin that you’ll want to check out. We’ll explore the location and activities of each event so you can start planning some fun for the holidays.
Santa’s Jingle House
The first event you’ll want to attend is Santa’s Jingle House. A few years ago, I interviewed business owner Isabella Giesen Linssen, and I have exciting news about the new, permanent location for all of Santa’s elves. Santa’s Jingle House’s permanent address for December is now 8 Chisholm Trail Road in Round Rock, Texas.
I’m happy to report that I was honored to help this family through this real estate transaction. What a perfect location! The home has all the history and charm of Old Town Round Rock. From January to November, this historic property is the Owen House Wedding and Event venue. Let me give you a brief history lesson for this unique property.
The Oatts Building
Round Rock used to be called Brushy Creek. However, since there was already Brushy Creek in East Texas, several residents were credited with selecting the name “Round Rock.” Records indicate that Postmaster Oatts submitted the name Round Rock on August 24, 1854, and the city of Round Rock was officially established.
The Owen House complex is in the original Old Town of Round Rock. It has three separate buildings: the Oatts Building, the Owen House, and the recently added Reception Hall. The two historic buildings reflect the style of other area structures of the 19th century. Constructed between 1851 and 1853 by Thomas C. Oatts, the Oatts Building is the one-story stone structure on the corner of Chisholm Trail Road and Emmanuel Street.
The Oatts Building is one of the oldest buildings in Old Town. It originally housed a commercial store and the first permanent post office for Round Rock. Both were operated by Thomas C. Oatts, the town’s first postmaster.
The Owen House
The two-story Owen House home was built around 1870. For many years, it was the residence of Dr. William Mitch Owen, his wife Sarah, and seven children. Dr. Owen was a prominent local physician and a businessman. Throughout the years, the house had several owners and usually served as a residence, although it was briefly known as the St. Charles Hotel.
The building received a Texas historical marker in 1982 and has also been on the National Register of Historic Properties since July 7, 1983. In May 2020, the Owen House complex was purchased by the Giesen Linssen family.
The two historic buildings on the complex have been restored to their former glory, while a third stone building was built in 2021. This building has a large open space that’s perfect for receptions and all kinds of special events. In 2015 Isabella Linssen founded Santa’s Jingle House and, as of 2021, the Owen complex will be the new home of this Round Rock Christmas treasure.
Cafecito Convos
The second event you’ll want to check out is also going to be held at the Owen House. The board of directors from the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals Austin Chapter—better known as NAHREP—will be having an educational event called Cafecito Convos: Money Talks. This is Spanish for coffee and conversations.
This is the first series, and the topic will be business planning, estate planning, and tax planning. It will be held on December 8, 2022, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. You can register at www.nahrepaustin.org/events.
Holiday Fun In Austin
Don’t be an elf on the shelf; come out and join the fun! If you want more information on any of these events, feel free to reach out to me and I’ll be happy do help.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss an episode of The Perfect Balance, my show where we talk about living, working, eating, and playing in the weirdest city in Texas: Austin. Texas and its surrounding areas. Have yourELF a merry little Christmas and remember, keep Austin weird!