Downtown Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Hirshfeld House
Photographed By Keith Peterson, July 8, 2007
1. Hirshfeld House Marker
Henry Hirshfeld (1834-1911), a native of Germany, was a prominent Austin merchant and a leader in the city’s Jewish community. In 1873 he and his wife Jennie (Melasky) built a one-story limestone cottage on the lot west of this site. Because of their financial success and a growing family, they later made plans for a larger home here.
Construction of this two-story brick and cut stone house began in 1885 and the family moved in a year after completion. Designed and built by architect John Andrewartha, it features characteristics of Victorian and Eastlake styling. Exterior ornamentation includes a double gallery, a bay, stained glass, ornate woodwork, and intricate limestone detailing. The two-story stick style carriage house was built soon after completion of the main residence.
The Hirshfelds had eight children. Two of their sons, Jake and Sam, also became merchants and opened separate clothing stores. Jake and his brother Morris served as directors of the Austin National Bank, an institution their father helped establish in 1890.
Family members continued to reside here until the death of the Hirshfelds’
this page online
Erected 1981 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 6440.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 30° 16.288′ N, 97° 44.663′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. Marker is at the intersection of West 9th Street and Lavaca Street, on the right when traveling east on West 9th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 West 9th Street, Austin TX 78701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hirshfeld Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Austin's Moonlight Towers (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wooldridge Park (about 400 feet away); Booker T. Washington (about 500 feet away); 1933 Austin Public Library (about 500 feet away); Wooldridge Square (about 500 feet away); Votes for Women (about 500 feet away); Original Site of First Baptist Church of Austin (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.
Photographed By Larry D. Moore, December 22, 2020
2. Hirshfeld House Marker Area
Photographed By Keith Peterson, July 8, 2007
3. Hirshfeld House
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 873 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 28, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. 2. submitted on December 23, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. 3. submitted on December 28, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
