Dawson Stone House
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Real estate developers Mary and Nannie Dawson built this house about 1900 as part of the South Heights expansion of Austin. The sisters were pioneer teachers in free public school system. Mary (Molly) was principal of Fulmore School, but she left teaching to pursue real estate. The builder was probably their brother and partner, Nick Dawson, who built several other stone houses. The house is typical of middle class homes of the time. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1974
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Around 1900, sisters Mary and Nannie Dawson built this stone house as part of Austin's South Heights development. Both were pioneering teachers in the young free public school system — Mary served as principal of Fulmore School before leaving education to build a career in real estate. Their brother Nick Dawson, a builder of several local stone houses, likely raised this typical middle-class home.
Why it matters
The Dawson sisters crossed from the classroom into business at a time when few women did either publicly, marking the widening world of work opening to American women.
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Related people
- · Mary Dawson
- · Nannie Dawson
- · Nick Dawson
Themes & tags
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