The Hugh B. Hancock House is located at 1717 West Ave in Austin TX.
The historic marker at the entrance go the home reads as follows:
"HUGH B HANCOCK HOUSE
Built in 1886, this house was originally located on 7th street in the Robertson Hill area of east Austin. It was constructed for Hugh B. Hancock, a successful black businessman of the city. In 1904 it was sold to German native Charles Frederick Mann, a local railroad engineer, and it remained in his family until 1959. Built in the Victorian style with classical ornamentation, the residence was moved to this location in 1979.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1981"
The Hugh B. Hancock House is part of the proposed Old Judge's Hill Austin Historic District. See: (
visit link)
"Hugh B. Hancock House - 1886
Stylistic influence(s): Victorian, Classical
Architect/Builder: Unknown architect; Hugh Hancock was original owner and probably builder
Historic Use: Residence
Current Use: Ofice
Historical designations:
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
City of Austin Historic Landmark
Building History
The 1886 Victorian Hugh B. Hancock House now at 1717 West Avenue was relocated from East Seventh Street in the Robertson Hill area of East Austin in 1979. The home, built in the Victorian style with classical ornamentation, was constructed in 1886 for a successful African American businessman, the proprietor of the Black Elephant Saloon and the H.B. Hancock Saloon on East 6th Street.
The Hancock House was sold in 1904 to German native Charles Frederick Mann, a local railroad engineer for Southern Pacific, and his wife Sophia, who raised eight children in the home.
It remained in the Mann family until 1959, and in 1978 was moved to its present location and renovated by Dr. & Mrs. Earl Howard for use as a physician’s office. Original pine and oak floors were refinished, specially milled wood ceilings recreated, and outdoor columns and trim cleaned and repainted.
Significant Persons Associated with Building
1886-1904: Hugh B. Hancock
1904-1959: Charles F. Mann"