History

The establishment of Paige (1872) is owed to the Houston and Texas Central Railway. It was a stop on the route between Austin and Houston. In fact, the now city was named after Norman Paige, a civil engineer who planned the route. The old depot is now home to the Paige Historical Museum (just blocks down the road across US-290).

Paige was known for its massive production of cotton produced in the area. By 1884, Paige had several merchandise stores, saloons, a hotel, churches, and schools. Early 1900s saw production of pickles, potatoes, peanuts, and other farmed goods.

Built in 1882, this home was once the residence of the Pauls family - J. E. Pauls being famously known for his department store in Paige. The store was one-of-a-kind with a two story warehouse added in 1891, complete with one-man operated elevator. The store remained in operation until 1951. 

An immigrant from Germany, Johann Edward Pauls arrived in Galveston in 1881. On September 1, 1890, Pauls purchased the home and land from Fedor Soder. Soder was another German immigrant and merchantman who pioneered many stores and businesses in Serbin, Fedor and Paige. Soder died in Paige in 1899.

J. E. Pauls died in 1926, but the house remained in the Pauls’ family until the 1990’s.