Rockport in Aransas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Sorenson-Stair Building

Photographed By Norman Frank, March 16, 2012

1. Sorenson-Stair Building Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Simon Sorenson, a native of Denmark, bought Brunner’s Mercantile at this site in 1886. The building was originally two stories, rebuilt after an 1895 fire. The Sorensons received weather reports by telegraph, posted updates in the display windows and raised warning flags as necessary. Hurricane Celia damaged the building and stock in 1970. In 1978 the Estelle Stair Gallery and the Rockport Art Association were housed here. Stair nurtured the growing art community. The load-bearing masonry building features a distinctive five-bay brick façade, with brick entry arches and pilasters capped along the stepped parapet.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark – 2008
Marker is property of the State of Texas

Erected 2008 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15535.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 28° 1.261′ N, 97° 3.078′ W. Marker is in Rockport, Texas, in Aransas County. Marker is on South Austin Street (

Sorenson-Stair Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Norman Frank, March 16, 2012

2. Sorenson-Stair Building

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State Highway 70) south of Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 406 S Austin St, Rockport TX 78382, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rockport’s Grand Hotels (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Aransas Hotel (about 300 feet away); Rockport’s Wharves and Pavilions (about 500 feet away); The Rockport Pilot (about 500 feet away); The Packeries of Rockport (about 700 feet away); First Methodist Church of Rockport (about 800 feet away); Shipyards in Rockport (approx. 0.2 miles away); Baylor-Norvell House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rockport.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2012. This page has been viewed 744 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2012. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.