Kyle City Hall
109 Burleson Rd., Kyle, TXKyle City Hall displays an eclectic combination of early 20th-century Mission Revival, Classical Revival, and Arts and Crafts stylistic expression in a small-scale civic building built for the rural town of Kyle, in Hays County, Texas. Built in 1912 by forward-thinking citizens and community boosters, Kyle City Hall reflects the optimistic tone of the Progressive Era that reached even the small rural trading centers of Central Texas in the early years of the 20th century. It was, and remains, the most prominent building in the city of Kyle and has historically been the focus of its civic and social life. The building and grounds occupy an entire city block at the heart of the small agricultural center. The hall was a symbol of Kyle's ambitions for growth, prosperity, and increasing cultural and social development after the turn of the century when the local agricultural economy -- largely based on cotton -- promised a bright future for the community and its citizens. By those ambitions, Kyle's civic leaders hired Austin architect Roy L. Thomas to design a civic center worthy of their plans for the city's future growth and cultural development.
It is one of the few known architect-designed buildings in rural Hays County. Kyle City Hall is associated with the Multiple Property Historic Context, Rural Properties of Hays County and is nominated to the National Register of Historic Places at the local level of significance under Criterion A in the area of Politics/Government for its historical associations with Kyle's early 20th-century development. Designed by prominent Austin architect Roy L. Thomas, and built by local craftsmen, brothers Fred and Tom Millhollon, the building is also nominated under Criterion C as an outstanding early example of his work and as a rare expression of fashionable Revival style architecture applied to a small scale civic building in a rural setting.
Historic Background
Identified as a governmental building in the 1994 Historic Resources Survey of the City of Kyle, Texas (Hardy Heck Moore & Associates), the Kyle City Hall occupies the central position in the city plat often reserved for a governmental building such as a county courthouse. Despite its location, the building was not originally intended to serve the mundane, day-to-day municipal business but rather to be a venue for social and civic events such as plays, musicals, and Chautauquas. It was first and foremost a meeting hall for the people of Kyle. In that regard, it could more accurately be analyzed as a social hall than a governmental building. Over time, however, the building came to house municipal offices as well as a senior center and other civic uses but it has continued to be central to the town's identity.The City of Kyle was created with the arrival of the International and Great Northern Railroad (I. & G.N.) which pushed through Hays County in 1880. The railroad connected the Texas capital of Austin with the city of San Antonio, about 70 miles to the south, and spawned new communities like Buda and Kyle along its route through previously unsettled land in eastern Hays County. An 18-block townsite was platted on the west side of the railroad line with narrow commercial lots fronting the tracks. Two blocks were set back from the tracks and dedicated for public use. Block 11 was reserved for "School Purposes" and Block 9 was designated as a "Public Square."
Although a school was built almost immediately, the public square remained essentially vacant, except for a tiny frame structure, for more than 30 years after the town's founding. In fact, even before the City Hall was built, the block functioned as intended in the original plat, that is, as a public square. Traveling tent shows, including Medicine Shows and other entertainments, and community gatherings, such as group picnics and Chauttaquas, were held on the open square
When the railroad bypassed other rural communities, many of their residents moved to Kyle, Buda, and San Marcos, which promised greater prospects for economic development due to their rail access. While the existing town and county seat of San Marcos developed into a small city, Kyle and Buda remained small, rural hubs for the surrounding ranches and farms. Commercial development was limited to a few blocks along the railroad tracks and, in Kyle's case, fronting the public square. Kyle incorporated twice; once in 1895 for a short period, and again in 1906.
Since its founding with the arrival of the International & Great Northern Railroad in 1881, Kyle had been considered a rough, even wild town but in 1898, the citizens voted to ban saloons and became a "dry" town. It remained so until 1973. The town experienced some decline in business with the removal of its saloons but at the turn of the century, Kyle began a new era as cotton played a greater role in the county's agricultural economy. Kyle increased its position as a railroad center for local cotton farmers to ship their crops to market and for farmers and ranchers to buy supplies. By 1900, the town boasted three cotton gins -- Sion's Gin, Round Bale Gin, and Kyle Oil and Gin Co. -- which ginned cotton and milled cottonseed.
Kyle merchant J.W. Tompkins may have been instrumental in the construction of both the City Hall (1912) and Kyle School (1911, demolished 1937). He was elected mayor when the town was incorporated for the second time in 1906. Once incorporated, the city undertook several public works including rebuilding the road that passed between Buda, Mountain City, and Kyle. In February 1907, the City Council appointed a committee from among its members to consider building a City Hall (Simon 1986: 264). Committee members chose the site designated as a public square in the original townsite map. Bounded by Burleson Street on the west, Main Street on the east, Center Street on the north, and Hays Street on the south, Block 9 offered an ideal location near the center of town. Furthermore, though it remained essentially vacant since the town was platted in 1880, the site had always served as a public square in which Kyle citizens were accustomed to gathering. Thus it was logical and appropriate that the newly incorporated city selected Block 9, a dedicated "Public Square", as the site for its community hall.
Early in 1912, the city council hired Austin architect Roy L. Thomas to design the building. Thomas was only twenty-five years old and had only recently established his practice when he designed Kyle City Hall. At the time, his work had been limited primarily to residential design and the city hall was probably his largest and most important commission. On March 25, 1912, the council awarded a $6,100 construction contract to local builders Fred and Tom Millhollon. A rare early photo of the Kyle City Hall shows the Millhollon brothers working on the building before the roof was erected. The Millhollon Brothers built other notable buildings in Kyle during this period, notably the Kyle School (1911) and the R.J. Sledge House (1912) (Hardy Heck Moore & Associates 1994). Hays County contributed $500 to the building fund but private donations made up the balance of the construction fund.'
Almost immediately citizens expressed divergent opinions about the use of the building. One group wanted a flat floor so the seats could be removed for dancing while the other group, largely Baptists and Methodists who opposed dancing, wanted a sloping floor. Although their views on dancing were well-known, this second group said they wanted a slanted floor to give all audience members a better view of the stage. The "slopers" won the debate and the floor was slanted toward the stage until 1976 when it was leveled in a renovation campaign (Simon 1986: 268). When completed, the building opened directly into an open hall filled with folding chairs on a slightly angled floor that sloped to a stage at the end of the large room. A curtain covered the stage when not in use and featured the names of local merchants as an advertisement for local businesses.
From the outset, Kyle City Hall was used for many different purposes including public meetings, plays, musicals, and the "Chautauquas" popular in that era. Local civic groups including The Pennybacker, a women's club, met at the hall. Until 1937 when a combined Auditorium/Gymnasium was built for the Kyle High School, the building served as a venue for school programs and assemblies. Outside, the grounds of the public square were planted in grass and oak trees and concrete walkways radiated in spokes from the entrances on the east and west. When it was designed in 1912, few of Kyle's citizens owned automobiles and the intended entrance to the building was from the south side where the approach from Main Street was set back further than from Burleson Street. A sort of promenade flanked by a canopy of trees made for a stately, unhurried entrance to the hall from Main Street. Spring festivals and carnivals took place on the grounds and exhibits for the Kyle Fair were erected on the lawn. Parades of buggies and wagons passed by the grounds on Main Street.
As time passed, the building fell into moderate disrepair, and in 1976, the local heritage group took on its renovation as a bicentennial project. Because the roof was leaking, the decision was made to replace the pressed tin shingles with a composition roof. The shingles were removed and sold for $1.00 apiece to raise money for the building's repair. Air conditioning was added and the electrical system was upgraded. Once it was renovated, the City of Kyle moved some of its city offices into the building and replaced the original doors with metal ones that adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. It is unclear when the windows were changed but it was probably after the 1976 renovation project since they appear intact in a photograph from that effort. Recently, the city moved its offices to the old post office and the City Hall will be available for increased civic uses. Currently, the building serves as a Senior Center where seniors gather for meals and fellowship. The group has plans to further improve the interior of the building to serve future civic roles.
Historic and Architectural Significance
Kyle City Hall is noteworthy as one of the few architect-designed buildings in rural Hays County. It is also one of the only resources built specifically for social and governmental purposes outside the county seat of San Marcos. Designed in 1912 by Austin architect Roy L. Thomas and built by local contractors, the Millhollon Brothers, Kyle City Hall combines a variety of stylistic influences from the Mission Revival, Classical Revival and Arts and Crafts genres that enjoyed popularity in the first decades of the 20th century. The combination of multiple styles resulted in a distinctive civic edifice that is at once impressive and charming. Although its symmetrical facades suggest a formality befitting its community role, the building's overall effect is softened by its curved elements expressed by the Mission parapets, arched porticos, Palladian windows, and decorative gable vents. Furthermore, the civic building's relatively small size, sheltering hipped roof, carved Craftsman-like brackets, multi-light window treatment, and doorways enframed by transoms and sidelights, lend it a domestic feeling.Kyle City Hall has retained its defining form, decorative features, and historic materials to a large extent. While the loss of its tin shingles is unfortunate, the building's roof pitch and form convey the intent of the original design. Likewise, although the original windows and doors have been replaced, the openings, arrangement and multi-light effect remain intact. The building possesses integrity of location, setting, design, association, workmanship, materials and feeling and remains a source of pride and the focus of civic activity in this community.
Historic Significance
Kyle City Hall represents a significant achievement for the small rural town and reflects the optimism of its citizens that the town would continue to grow and prosper in the early 20th century. Bolstered by a booming cotton economy at the turn of the century, Kyle's progressive citizens looked forward to the town's cultural development by providing a venue for social and civic events including plays and lectures. The building's size, scale, and fashionable design expressed the community's ambitions for the future. The commission of an architect to design the building, is a rare occurrence in rural communities, emphasizing Kyle's commitment to the undertaking. Although the cotton industry failed to sustain the community's hopes for economic growth in the decades following the building's construction, Kyle City Hall continued in its designated role as the town's social and civic focal point. Historically, the block has always served the community as a focal point for Kyle's citizens. Identified specifically as a public square in the original 1880 town plat, the site hosted traveling shows, musicals, and Chautauquas (scholarly lectures). Parades passed around the public square before and after the city hall was built. In addition to civic and governmental duties, the hall has served a variety of community purposes and until 1937, doubled as the high school auditorium. When the Baptist Church burned, its congregation was granted use of the hall for Sunday services. Later, when the Methodists needed a sanctuary, the two churches held services in the city hall on a rotating basis (Strom personal communication, October 19, 2001). Today, the building continues to serve the city of Kyle as a senior social center, community meeting place and municipal office.Architectural Significance
Kyle City Hall combines elements of two major architectural aesthetics that reached popularity in the early 20th century: Classical Revival and Mission Revival and incorporates the Arts and Crafts influences to a notable degree throughout. Classical Revival elements include the symmetrical design, pediments with boxed cornice returns, and Palladian-influenced windows. The Mission Revival style is evident in the parapets with their distinctive Alamo-esque espadaña and patterned ornamentation. Decorative gable vents, carved cornice brackets and the overall effect of the dominant hipped roof and deep overhang give the impression of a large Craftsman-inspired bungalow. These different features, rather than conflicting, are artfully combined to create a civic building that is both elegant and charming. Its position, size, and use are civic while the details give an almost residential feel to the building that seems appropriate in a town of Kyle's size.The building's domestic appearance reflects the architect's experience as a residential designer. The Kyle City Hall was one of the first buildings Roy L. Thomas designed it on his own. A Hays County native, Thomas was a natural choice for the job. Born in San Marcos in 1887, Thomas attended public schools and worked part-time as a carpenter for local contractors. He first attended Southwestern University in Georgetown (1905-1906) before entering the School of Engineering at the University of Texas in 1906. In 1908, he left the university and worked as a construction superintendent in San Marcos and later as a draftsman with the Austin firm of Endress and Walsh. In 1911, Thomas opened his practice in Austin where he specialized in residential construction. Kyle City Hall was an exception at that point in his career and the large commission was an opportunity for the twenty-five-year-old designer to showcase his talent.
When World War I interrupted his career, Thomas served as an architectural draftsman for the Navy. After the war, Thomas returned to Austin where he worked with Stacy Realty Company to design and build more than thirty houses in the city's Travis Heights neighborhood. Thomas also designed and built residences in the Hyde Park and Tarrytown subdivisions and expanded his practice to other Central Texas communities. In the 1920s Thomas designed or supervised construction for several of Austin's notable churches and institutional buildings as an associate architect with Sanguinet, Staats, and Hedrick. His projects included the First Methodist Church, University Baptist Church, Hyde Park Methodist Church, Swedish Evangelical Free Church, Kirby Hall, and an addition to Pease School. Throughout the 1930s, Thomas continued to design and build residences, including the Streamline Moderne Herbert Bohn House (1938) but began to change his focus to churches, schools, and offices in the late 1930s. During World War II Thomas again contributed to the war effort by supervising the construction of a chemical defense plant.
In partnership with his son, William Thomas, he continued to work throughout the 1950s. Noteworthy projects from his later career include Austin's Tarrytown Methodist Church and Ebenezer Baptist Church. Thomas died in 1968.
Kyle City Hall is significant as one of Roy L. Thomas's earliest independent designs. A departure from his residential focus, the public hall presaged his later achievements as one of Austin's premier church architects. The hall is also noteworthy in the context of rural settings where traditional styles generally prevail long after their popularity has waned in more cosmopolitan areas. Thomas's design for Kyle City Hall brought fashionable trends associated with larger communities and more sophisticated clients to a prominent building in this rural community. The city hall's design reflects the ambitions of Kyle's citizens to grow beyond its historic role as a small agricultural hub as much as it highlights the architect's expertise.
The one-story brick building has changed little since its construction in 1912. The only significant alterations to the exterior of the building have been the replacement of entry doors and windows on the east and west sides and the removal of original tin roof shingles. The primary entrance has shifted from the east side to the west side of the building probably because there is adequate and accessible parking along Burleson Street close to the east entrance. A gazebo, marquee and memorial bell tower, and several historical markers, have been added to the grounds since 1976. Otherwise, the building and site retain their historic appearance to a remarkable extent.
Kyle City Hall is significant both for its architecture and for its role as a social and recreational center for its citizens. An ambitious civic building for a rural community, the city hall was built at a time of relative prosperity and optimism fostered by the success and prospects of the local cotton industry at the turn of the 20th century. Today the building houses offices of the City of Kyle but continues its social and civic role as the Kyle Senior Center a meeting place for local organizations. Designed by noted Austin architect, Roy L. Thomas, the city hall is one of the few architect-designed buildings in rural Hays County. Kyle City Hall remains the city's largest and most impressive building and the focus of its civic life. It retains integrity of design, location, materials, workmanship, feeling, setting, and association to a large degree and is nominated to the National Register of Historic Places for its historic associations with the social history of Kyle and architectural merit. Local significance of the building:
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
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.
In the early 1800s, Anglo-American settlers began to establish permanent settlements in what is now Hays County. One of the most notable figures in the county's history is Captain John Coffee "Jack" Hays, a Texas Ranger who played a significant role in fighting against Native American raids in the region. As a result of his contributions, the county was renamed in his honor in 1848.
During the mid-1800s, Hays County experienced rapid growth and development, fueled by the arrival of the railroad in the region. The county became an important hub for agriculture, with cotton and cattle as the main industries. The county seat, San Marcos, played a key role in the growth of education in the area, becoming home to Southwest Texas State Normal School (now Texas State University) in 1899.
In the 20th century, Hays County continued to evolve and modernize. The population increased steadily as more people were attracted to the area’s natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and proximity to Austin. Today, Hays County remains a vibrant and growing community, serving as a bridge between the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country and the urban amenities of nearby metropolitan areas.
Hays County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Hays County, Texas.
- 1837: Hays County is officially established as a county when the Republic of Texas is formed.
- 1848: The county seat is established in the town of San Marcos.
- 1856: A charter is granted to create the Hays County Agricultural, Manufacturing, and Mechanical Association.
- 1861: With the outbreak of the Civil War, many men from Hays County volunteer for service in the Confederate Army.
- 1881: The International-Great Northern Railroad is completed, connecting San Marcos to Austin and San Antonio.
- 1903: Southwest Texas State Normal School (now known as Texas State University) is established in San Marcos.
- 1938: The Blanco River floods, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure in Hays County.
- 1996: The Hays County Courthouse, built in 1909, is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- 2015: The county experiences widespread flooding from heavy rains, resulting in several deaths and extensive property damage.