Judge's Hill in Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Matsen House

Photographed by Alex Brogan, April 26, 2025

1. Matsen House Marker

Inscription. In 1953, distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Physics at the University of Texas at Austin, Frederick Albert Matsen (1913–2006), and his wife, Cecelia Christina (Kirkegaard) Matsen (1910–2006), built this home. The couple worked with Austin architects Carlton Brush and Joseph Buffler, influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, who was active in Racine, Wisconsin, native town of the Matsens. The two-story house is built of limestone walls and cedar shakes on a wood frame. It exhibits Mid-Century Modern and International elements, including horizontal emphasis in the flat roof and windows, use of natural light, and a floor plan incorporating the slope of the site. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2011

Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16803.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Landmarks. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 30° 16.951′ N, 97° 44.931′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Judge's Hill. It is at the intersection of San Gabriel Street and West 18th Street, on the left when traveling north on San Gabriel Street.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1800 San Gabriel Street, 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: McLendon-Price House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Edward Mandell House Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hugh B. Hancock House (approx. 0.2 miles away); J.W. and Cornelia Scarbrough House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carrington Bluff House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Granger House and The Perch (approx. 0.2 miles away); Denny-Holliday House (approx. 0.2 miles away); West Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.

Matsen House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alex Brogan, April 26, 2025

2. Matsen House and Marker

Matsen House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alex Brogan, April 26, 2025

3. Matsen House

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2025, by Alex Brogan of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 221 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2025, by Alex Brogan of Houston, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.