Robbins, Alice H., House
4311 Ave. A, Austin, TXConstructed in 1925, the Alice H. Robbins House features a synthesis of the vernacular shotgun form and Bungalow detailing unique in Hyde Park. Built during the heyday of residential construction in Hyde Park (1920-1935), the house is a modestly scaled dwelling constructed in the vernacular shotgun form. Despite its unpretentious size and simple plan, the house displays details typical of the Bungalow style, including treatment of eaves, porch, foundation, and fenestration. As the house retains most of these original features, it stands as a unique example of this synthesis in Hyde Park. An unusually high degree of architectural integrity and the unusual combination of form and detailing suggest its nomination under Criterion C for its local architectural significance.
On February 23, 1925, the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Land Company sold the lot at 4311 Avenue A for $50 to Alice H. Robbins, who had operated a sanatorium at 119 East 30th Street (DR 371:423; Austin City Directory 1916). One month later, Robbins contracted with R.W. (Wallace) Herndon, who agreed to furnish labor and materials worth $767.76 for the construction of a . . . weatherboard house 16 by 18 feet. . ." (DR 358:563).
Herndon was a life-long Austinite who worked for several local lumber companies and as an independent contractor. Shortly after he built this house, he became mill superintendent for the Reinhardt Lumber Company; he subsequently managed the Cash Lumber Company and the Theodore Low Lumber Company (Austin City Directories 1927-1937; Austin History Center. Biographical Files: Herndon, Eugene Wallace, 1836-1904).
Alice Robbins occupied 4311 Avenue A until her death in 1934 (Austin Statesman April 2, 1934:3). Her heirs held the property until 1950, when it was sold to Iva B. Marrs (DR 1042:489). Subseguent owners have included Joe R. Long (1968-1970), Dr Walter Myer (1970-1977), M.B. and S.L. Reinking (1977-1979), M.S. and J.L. Lackey, and Robert Abbassi and Morteza Hamidi (DR 1042:489; 3510:865; 3836:574; 5756:711; 6821:2147; 9314:109).
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.