Hirshfeld, Henry, House and Cottage - Austin, Texas - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

The cottage, built in 1873, housed Henry and his wife Jennie until the larger house was built in 1885. The homes have been well preserved and today house the Office of Governmental Relations for the Texas A&M University System.

An historic plaque in front reads:

Henry Hirshfeld (1834–1911), a native of Germany, was a prominent Austin merchant and a leader in the city's Jewish community. In 1873 he and his wife Jennie (Melasky) built a one-story limestone cottage on the lot west of this site. Because of their financial success and a growing family, they later made plans for a larger home here. Construction of this two-story brick and cut stone house began in 1885 and the family moved in a year after completion. Designed and built by architect John Andrewartha, it features characteristics of Victorian and Eastlake styling. Exterior ornamentation includes a double gallery, a bay, strained glass, ornate woodwork, and intricate limestone detailing. The two-story stick style carriage house was built soon after completion of the main residence. The Hirshfelds had eight children. Two of their son's Jake and Sam, also became merchants and opened separate clothing stores. Jake and his brother Morris served as directors of the Austin National Bank, an institution their father helped establish in 1890. Family members continued to reside here until the death of the Hirshfelds' daughter Leila Hirshfeld Bernheim in 1973.

Street address: 303 and 305 West 9th Street Austin, Texas USA 78701 County / Borough / Parish: Travis Year listed: 1973 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering Periods of significance: 1875-1899 Historic function: Domestic; Single Dwelling Current function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic; Business, Single Dwelling Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/26/2016 Benchmark Blasterz visited it 05/23/2015 WalksfarTX visited it

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