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There is some confusion regarding the original builder and owner of this house. Local informants say that the building was moved from another location within the Bluff townsite to its present location some time in the 1930's. The building was simply placed on the ground surface, a cellar was dug on the south side, and screened-in porches were added onto the south and east sides. A wood frame lean-to addition containing two rooms and a bathroom were added onto the west side. Finally, a square, flat-roofed cinderblock building was added to the north side, which functioned as the Bluff Post Office during the 1940's and 1950's. The postmistress Dorothy Nielson resided in the house with her husband and children during the time the Post Office was located here (Dorothy Nielson House Historic Site Form). Local resident Melvin Gaines remembers that it was also used as a mortuary. According to Gaines there were only two rooms in the house at the time, but they were large rooms, big enough for a group of people to meet. He also remembers playing there with the Nielson children (Hadenfeldt).
The current owners have done extensive remodeling to the building. The ceilings, the porch roof, and the front siding are the only original parts that are still visible. The building was jacked up and a foundation was added, the cellar was redug, and the old additions and aluminum siding were removed. The building was repainted in colors as close as possible to the original paint, which is still visible in the porch rafters.
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Page designed by Tiffany Kimmerle
San Juan High School