Smith-Marcuse-Lowry House
3913 Ave. C, Austin, TXThe Smith-Marcuse-Lowry House was among the first residences constructed in Hyde Park. As a highly visible example of the Queen Anne style, it reflects the marketing strategy of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Land Company to encourage construction of large and architecturally pretentious houses in order to lure potential investors to the new subdivision. Distinguished by lively ornamentation and composition, the house is also indicative of the eclectic tastes prevalent during the Victorian period. As the property retains a remarkable degree of its historic character, it is being nominated for its local architectural significance under Criterion C.
The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Land and Town Co. and investors A.C. and Gertrude S. Marconnier sold lots 1-4 in Block 10 of Hyde Park Addition No. 2 to George Smith on May 8, 1894, for $840, obligating him to initiate construction of a home worth at least $1500 by September 1st. Smith contracted with local builder John Geggie to construct a 2-story house with eight rooms and necessary additions and appurtenances (DR 119:630; 126:17; Mechanics' Liens 90:605). Smith subsequently moved to Houston, selling 3913 Avenue C to Ada Smith and Willie R. Smith on January 21, 1901. In turn, they conveyed the property to Louis Marcuse on July 25, 1905 (DR 198:596,610).
A native of Koenigsberg, Prussia, Marcuse immigrated to the United States in 1867 and settled in Austin in 1873. He worked as a bookkeeper for carriage and wagon dealer Michael Paggi before opening his own grocery and feed store. Although apparently retired by the time he acquired 3913 Avenue C, he served for six years on the City Board of Egualization while residing at the house. (City of Austin. Historic Landmark Inventory File C14h-76002). His widow, Emma, continued to live there after his death on February 13, 1920. The Marcuse's daughter, Alwine (Alvina), married realtor Nelson R. Lowry and the couple set up housekeeping with her mother. After Lowry's death about 1924, Alwine and her son continued living at 3913 Avenue C until the property was conveyed to a local real estate broker in 1968.
Recent owners George and Martha Boutwell purchased the Smith-Marcuse-Lowry House after it had been condemned by the City of Austin. They restoration efforts included replacement of the roof and reconstruction of the porches, balustrades and fencing based on historic photographs. Zoned historic by the City of Austin on June 19, 1977, the house received an Historic Preservation Award from the Heritage Society of Austin in 1983 (City of Austin. Historic Landmark Inventory File C14h-76-002; Hyde Park Historic Homes Tour 1984:6).
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.