HistoricSiteMarkers
Reconstruction & Gilded Age

The Radkey House

Austin, Travis County, Texas

Marker Inscription

A typical post-Civil War Austin dwelling, built about 1870 two blocks from the State Capitol for merchant and metalsmith Bernard Radkey (1846-83) and his wife, Mary Cummings Radkey (1851-96). Structure is of cypress wood. Radkey served as a city alderman (councilman) until just prior to his early death. Heirs enlarged and occupied the home until 1973. It was moved here and restored in 1974 by the Franklin Savings and Loan Association.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Built around 1870 just two blocks from the State Capitol, this cypress-wood dwelling was a typical post-Civil War Austin home, raised for merchant and metalsmith Bernard Radkey and his wife Mary. Radkey served as a city alderman until shortly before his early death in 1883. His heirs enlarged and lived in the house until 1973, after which it was moved and restored in 1974.

Why it matters

The Radkey House preserves the everyday building style and civic life of Austin's tradesman class in the years just after the Civil War.

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Related people

  • · Bernard Radkey
  • · Mary Cummings Radkey

Themes & tags

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