Downtown Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

J. L. Buaas Building

Photographed by Keith Peterson, November 18, 2007

1. J. L. Buaas Building Marker

Inscription.
Norwegian immigrant John L. Buaas moved to Austin in 1839 and in 1872 was appointed city alderman by Reconstruction Governor E.J. Davis. In 1875 he built a mercantile store here. The two-story Italianate commercial structure was designed with two facades, one facing Pine (5th) Street, and the other on Pecan (6th) Street. Buaas sold the building in 1879, and since then it has been used for various commercial establishments and is now part of the revitalization of Old Pecan Street.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1983

Erected 1983 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14635.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Norwegian-Americans series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.

Location. 30° 16.013′ N, 97° 44.338′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. It is on East 6th Street east of Trinity Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 407 E 6th St, Austin TX 78701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Texas.

It is also in the American South.

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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named J. L. Buaas Building (here, next to this marker); Nalle Building

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(a few steps from this marker); Cotton Exchange Building (a few steps from this marker); Crown Tailors (within shouting distance of this marker); Rhambo Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Shamrock Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Quast Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Kriesle Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.

J. L. Buaas Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith Peterson, November 18, 2007

2. J. L. Buaas Building and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,471 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 23, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.