Wahrenberger House
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Charles Klein bought house from F. Huster, 1868, leased it to German-American Ladies College (1873-79), Texas German and English Academy (1880-86) and deeded it, 1882, to daughter Caroline (1834-1916), widow of John Wahrenberger (1812-64), early Austin settler. As a semi-private residence, boarders included Pat Neff (1896-97), Governor of Texas (1921-25); and Sam Rayburn (1907-08), Speaker of the US House of Representatives. House was the private home (about 1910-1946) of the Wahrenberger family. A significant example of 19th century architectural evolution, this house was built in a simple vernacular Greek Revival style in 1867, by Friedrich Huster. A porch and second story in rear were added about 1873. Victorian phase began 1887, with attachment of metal cornices and pediment (removed 1960); ended with addition of the present Classical Revival portico and a sleeping porch in 1916. Porch was dismantled and façade altered, 1946. Property is maintained by Revell & Co., and owned by a Wahrenberger heir. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1963
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1867 in a plain Greek Revival style, this Austin house passed through the hands of German immigrant families and for a time housed the German-American Ladies College and other academies before becoming the Wahrenberger family home. Its boarders included future Texas Governor Pat Neff and future U.S. House Speaker Sam Rayburn during their student days. Successive remodelings—Victorian cornices, a Classical Revival portico—make the house a record of nineteenth-century architectural taste.
Why it matters
The house captures both the German-immigrant imprint on early Austin and the way ordinary boardinghouses quietly sheltered figures who would go on to shape Texas and national politics.
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Related people
- · Caroline Wahrenberger
- · Pat Neff
- · Sam Rayburn
Themes & tags
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