J. L. Buaas Building
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Norwegian immigrant John L. Buaas moved to Austin in 1839 and in 1871 was appointed city alderman by Reconstruction governor E.J. Davis. In 1875 he built a mercantile store here. The two-story Italianate commercial structure was designed with two facades, one facing Pine (5th) Street, and the other on Pecan (6th) Street. Buaas sold the building in 1879, and since then it has been used for various commercial establishments and is now part of the revitalization of Old Pecan Street. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1983
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Norwegian immigrant John L. Buaas came to Austin in 1839 and rose to be appointed a city alderman under Reconstruction governor E. J. Davis. In 1875 he built this two-story Italianate mercantile store, cleverly designed with facades on both Pine (Fifth) and Pecan (Sixth) Streets. Though Buaas sold it in 1879, the building has served commercial tenants ever since and today anchors the revitalized Old Pecan Street district.
Why it matters
The Buaas Building reflects both the immigrant enterprise and the Reconstruction-era politics that built up Austin's commercial core in the decades after the Civil War.
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Related people
- · John L. Buaas
- · E. J. Davis
Themes & tags
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