The Jeremiah Hamilton House
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Born about 1839 in Tennessee, Jeremiah Hamilton was one of nine Black representatives in the 12th Texas Legislature, 1869-71. He bought this lot on Waller Creek in 1871 and began building this oddly shaped stone structure to house his grocery store. Italian-born Michael Paggi owned the property from 1873 to 1881. He was involved in several unusual business ventures, including the manufacture of ice. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1978
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born into slavery in Tennessee around 1839, Jeremiah Hamilton rose to become one of nine Black members of the 12th Texas Legislature during Reconstruction, from 1869 to 1871. In 1871 he bought this lot on Waller Creek and began an oddly shaped stone building to house his grocery. A decade later it passed to the Italian-born entrepreneur Michael Paggi, whose ventures included the novel manufacture of ice.
Why it matters
Hamilton was among the first generation of African American lawmakers in the South, whose brief Reconstruction-era political power marked a democratic experiment soon rolled back.
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Related people
- · Jeremiah Hamilton
- · Michael Paggi
Themes & tags
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