Covert, Frank M. and Annie G., House
3912 Ave. G, Austin, TXConstructed about 1898 for a real estate and insurance agent, the Covert House dates to the initial period of Hyde Park's development. As one of the very few brick houses constructed in Hyde Park, it is a landmark example of the design idioms of Victorian-era dwellings in the area. Numerous architectural elements typically associated with the Queen Anne style are to be found on the house, including a variety of detailing, texture and materials. Brick was not to become a prevalent building material in the neighborhood until the 1930s. As the second example of brick construction in the new development, the Covert House typified Shipe's marketing strategy of encouraging construction of grand, stylistically pretentious houses in highly visible locations near the streetcar line. Recently restored, the Covert House retains its distinguishing architectural elements and is nominated for its local architectural significance under Criterion C.
On June 26, 1897, Annie G. Covert acquired a portion of Block 36 in the Hyde Park Addition from the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad of Dickinson County, Kansas, and from A.C. and Gertrude L. Marconnier of Seattle, Washington, through their agent, Monroe M. Shipe (DR 138:353; 147:263). City directories indicate that Frank and Annie Covert moved into a new house at 3912 Avenue G very soon thereafter.
The Coverts conveyed title to the property to the Stacy-Robbins-Covert Co. sometime after 1900, relocating to 1511 Colorado Street (NR 1970). The Company sold the Covert House and 14 lots in 1909 to Nellie T. Heald, whose husband was a professor of botany at the University of Texas. Heald, in turn, sold the house to the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Land Co. in 1913, which conveyed it in 1917 to Fred Sassman, Sr., (DR 235:355; 254:295; 293:52).
Like the owners who preceded them, the Sassmans occupied the house only a brief time before moving out, apparently turning the house into rental property. It was occupied at various times by a rancher, a doctor, and the Home of the Holy Infancy (Austin City Directories 1918-1940). Ownership passed from the Sassman family in 1945 (DR 749:692). Recent owners have undertaken a sizeable restoration effort, and the City of Austin granted historical zoning to 3912 Avenue C in 1978 (City of Austin. Historic Landmark Inventory File C14h-78-036).
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.