Snead-Rieck House
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
In August 1934, Edwin Brazelton Snead (1904-1982), a well-known Austin construction and development figure, built this Tudor Revival-style house. Snead, holding the demolition contract for the Old Main structure on the University of Texas campus, used the light yellow-buff bricks and other construction materials from Old Main in the construction of this house. Marked by steeply-pitched roofs, half-timbering, gables with stucco accents, a high chimney and dormered second story windows, this house is a testament to creative vernacular architecture Texans utilized during the Great Depression. The house was purchased by Meta Paterson Rieck (1889-1970) in 1939. The Rieck family, prominent Kimble County ranchers, lived in the home for many years. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2018
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1934, Austin construction and development figure Edwin Brazelton Snead built this Tudor Revival house from an unusual source: holding the demolition contract for the University of Texas's Old Main building, he salvaged its light yellow-buff bricks and other materials for the new home. With steep roofs, half-timbering, gables, and a high chimney, the house shows the inventive vernacular architecture Texans improvised during the Great Depression. Kimble County ranching family the Riecks bought it in 1939 and lived there for decades.
Why it matters
The home is a tangible piece of University of Texas history reborn as Depression-era craftsmanship, preserving materials from the demolished Old Main.
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Related people
- · Edwin Brazelton Snead
- · Meta Paterson Rieck
Themes & tags
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