Congratulations to 509 Mercer Street for receiving PAPHA’s most recent History Property Award. The award was presented to the property on Jan. 13, 2025.
PAPHA began presenting Historic Property Awards in Port Aransas in January 2024. The award going to the Mercer Street house will be the seventh one to receive this award.
509 Mercer Street
The house at 509 Mercer Street was built in 1955 by Don Roy Farley and Una Jenkins Farley.
The home was built to weather the storms. A diagonal board was placed between every vertical board on all sides of the house to protect from winds in any direction. There are twice as many pilings as required under the house, and the sidewalk out front is made from bricks from the old school that was torn down.
Jim and Fred Farley walked through the back yard to go to the boat shop next door. They helped to build the house, too.
Don & Una Farley
A hunting and fishing guide, Don also worked at the Water Department, where he became manager and from which he retired after many years of service.
Una started work at the school around 1963 as a secretary to Vera Fortson, the principal and superintendent. Una had many roles at the school, her last as business manager.
Don and Una raised their two children, Nona Farley Hendricks and James McCleod Farley, in the home.
The Shannons
The Farleys were exceptional caretakers of the home until recently, when it was purchased by the Shannons. Upon purchase, the new owners loved how they took a step back in time.
The Shannons have embraced the nostalgia of the home and plan to continue to care for the home for many years to come!
Nona Farley Hendricks
