Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Kraigher House

Photographed by James Hulse, April 19, 2023

1. Kraigher House Marker

Inscription. Built in 1937, the Kraigher House is a nationally known example of international style architecture, typified by asymmetrical rectilinear forms and smooth unornamented walls. George Kraigher was chief pilot and operations manager of the Western Division of Pan American Airways. His courageous service in both World Wars earned him numerous awards and medals, including the Silver Star from the U.S. and the Partisan Star (First Class) from his native Yugoslavia. Architect Richard Neutra, born in Vienna, came to the U.S. in 1923 and was acclaimed for his modernist designs. Neutra designed the house site unseen, using "Biorealism," his approach connecting humans to nature, which resulted in a practical yet innovative approach to architecture. Materials include reinforced concrete, glass, and steel, with passive solar design exhibited in cantilevered shading, soffit ventilation, and site orientation. The interior has plaster walls, built-in furniture, and terrazzo floors.

Transferred to the northeast, Kraigher sold the house in 1947 and had Neutra design a new house for him in Litchfield, Connecticut. Years of rental tenants and periods of vacancy at the Brownsville house led to its deterioration. The City of Brownsville bought the site in 1999 to save it from any further decline. The house was highlighted as endangered by Preservation Texas in 2004 and the National Trust for Historic Places in 2005. This prompted the city to seriously consider how best to preserve Neutra's only single-family house in Texas. The city decided to lease the house to the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College with the understanding that the universities would restore and maintain the house and allow for public access. The work was done in accordance with the original drawings and completed in 2008. The house

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is currently used as a center to train young artists and designers. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2015

Erected 2015 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18195.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 25° 55.774′ N, 97° 29.356′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. It is at the intersection of Paredes Line Road and Lindale Road, on the left when traveling north on Paredes Line Road. The marker is located in front of the house by the gravel parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 525 Paredes Line Road, Brownsville TX 78521, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American Borderlands,

in the South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At

The view of the Kraigher House and Marker from the gravel parking lot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 19, 2023

2. The view of the Kraigher House and Marker from the gravel parking lot

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: These Brave Men (approx. half a mile away); Hand-to-Hand (approx. half a mile away); Into the Mexican Camp (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fallen Side by Side (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Battle of Resaca de la Palma (approx. 0.6 miles away); Take the Cannon! (approx. 0.6 miles away); A Daunting Defense (approx. 0.7 miles away); Border War (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 460 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.