Badu House
Llano, Llano County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Built in 1891 during the city's iron production boom days, this structure originally housed the First National Bank of Llano. In 1898 it was purchased by French native N. J. "Professor" Badu, a noted local mineralogist, for use as a residence. Designed by the Austin firm of Larramour and Watson, it features renaissance revival detailing and a distinctive band of native granite in a checkerboard pattern. Badu's descendants lived here for many years. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1981
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1891 during Llano's short-lived iron boom, this handsome building first housed the First National Bank before French-born mineralogist N.J. "Professor" Badu bought it in 1898 for his home. Designed by the Austin firm Larramour and Watson, it shows off renaissance revival detailing and a striking checkerboard band of native granite. Badu's descendants lived here for generations, and it became a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1981.
Why it matters
It ties together the speculative iron and granite booms that briefly promised Llano an industrial future and the immigrant experts who helped assay its mineral wealth.
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Related people
- · N.J. Badu
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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