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

St. Charles House

316 E. Sixth Street

Photographed by James Hulse, February 22, 2025

1. St. Charles House Marker

Inscription. When St. Edward's University professor Dr. Emma Lou Linn was a college student in 1960's Austin, she saw the unique potential of the old buildings on Sixth Street. The St. Charles House had seen better days as an elegant hotel with a carriage house next door. It was once an indoor circus, into which customers were lured by a live baboon beating a drum out front. Austin's first ice cream saloon was here, run by Madame Saffroni, and later, the St. Charles was a brothel, with an owner of dubious character named Madame Frenchy. With its restoration honored by the Heritage Society of Austin, the St. Charles House is evocative of Sixth Street's multi-layered colorful past.

Erected by City of Austin.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 30° 16.04′ N, 97° 44.386′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. It is on East 6th Street west of Trinity St, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located along the wall of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

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312 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 St. Charles House (here, next to this marker); The Ritz Theater (a few steps from this marker); Platt-Simpson Building (a few steps from this marker); Leslie (within shouting distance of this marker); Smith-Hage Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Monroe Building (within shouting distance of this marker); 301 E. Sixth Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Jerry Creagh (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.

The entrance to the St. Charles House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 22, 2025

2. The entrance to the St. Charles House and Marker

The St. Charles House and Marker are at the far left image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 22, 2025

3. The St. Charles House and Marker are at the far left

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 353 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 26, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.