Mary Street Stone House
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This residence is one of several erected in south Austin during the 1890's by Developer Nichols Dawson (1864-1939). Constructed of stone quarried in the vicinity, the small houses were similar in design, with Hexagonal front bays. Dawson's partner in the real estate venture was his sister Mary (molly) (1853-1933), A prominent local educator. She was principal of Fullmore school in south Austin and later operated her own private school. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark-1978
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
During the building boom of the 1890s, developer Nichols Dawson raised a row of small stone houses in south Austin, cut from limestone quarried nearby and distinguished by their hexagonal front bays. His partner in the venture was his sister Mary "Molly" Dawson, one of the area's most respected educators, who served as principal of Fullmore School before opening a private school of her own. This surviving residence is a remnant of that family enterprise in brick, stone, and learning.
Why it matters
The house links Gilded Age neighborhood development to the pioneering work of a woman educator, a reminder that Austin's growth was shaped as much by teachers as by builders.
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Related people
- · Nichols Dawson
- · Mary "Molly" Dawson
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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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.
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