Missouri, Kansas and Texas Land Co. House
3908 Ave. C, Austin, TXThe house at 3908 Avenue C appears to have been constructed by the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Land Co. about 1909. A good example of vernacular architectural traditions, the house features modest detailing associated with Victorian decorative traditions. While lacking the rich architectural detailing of the nearby Sears House, the MKT Land Co. House testifies to the persistent popularity of the L-plan vernacular form. As it retains a high level of its historic integrity, it is being nominated for its local architectural significance under Criterion C.
Travis County deed records indicate that the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Land and Town Co. owned the property at 3908 Avenue C until September 23, 1909, when two lots improved by a dwelling worth approximately $900 were sold to J.B. Cotton (DR 235:417). This documentary evidence suggests that the MKT Land Co. erected the dwelling as a part of their marketing strategy to promote Hyde Park. Cotton held the property for several months before selling it to H.M. Williams (DR 244:17).
Williams owned a real estate business and worked as a shipping clerk for the nearby nursery run by F.T. Ramsey. On February 4, 1914, he sold 3908 Avenue C to Mrs. Hattie E. O'Donnell (DR 264:356). She occupied the house until her death on November 20, 1921, whereupon her daughter, Annie, received title to the property (Probate File No. 5386). The O'Donnell heirs sold the property in 1930 to Daisy T. Gilbert (DR 459:625), who held it as rental property until 1945 (DR 771:529). Owners of lots 27 through 34 in Block 9 of the Hyde Park Addition No. 2 re-subdivided the eight lots in 1967. 3908 Avenue C was sold to the present owners in 1983 as Lot B of the resubdivision (DR 8318:937).
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.