National Register Listing

Battle Hall

a.k.a. Old Barker History Center

South Mall, University of Texas campus, Austin, TX
On December 11, 1909, the Board of Regents of the University of Texas appropriated $211,000 to construct and furnish a library building. They decided that there was no architect in Austin equal to the task, and so they chose Cass Gilbert of New York City. Gilbert received his training at M.I.T., and he designed such well-known buildings as the State Capitol of Minnesota, the St. Louis Art Museum, the Woolworth Building in New York, and the Supreme Court Building in Washington, B.C. He produced many beautiful works, and his Texas library remains one of the best buildings on the campus.
Gilbert agreed to design the University of Texas library if he could do so with "the utter exclusion from the building of any feature of material or of ornament indigenous or identifiable to Texas . . . ." He must have made a conscious effort to reflect the Spanish heritage of Texas, however, for the library includes numerous details typical of various Spanish Renaissance buildings. Gilbert's plan, accepted by the Regents January 11, 1910, consisted of two rectangles. The east portion included public reading rooms and a small art gallery; the west included space for book stacks. The library was to have three stories and a basement. A marble staircase and iron balustrade led to the second floor.

The east walls of the building are particularly beautiful. They are faced with limestone and rest on a granite base. Five arched windows let light into the Reading Room. A border of colored terra cotta extends around each window, and each border consists of a rich design of plants and mythological heads. White zodiac signs are emblazoned on blue terra cotta.

The building was completed by 1911. September 21, 1946, the Board of Regents named Gilbert's building in honor of the Texas historian and professor Eugene C. Barker, and they transferred all University books, papers, archives, and letters pertaining to Texas and the Southwest to the Center. April 27, 1950, the University dedicated the Center.
Bibliography
August W. Harris. " Cass Gilbert's Old Library Building," Southwestern Historical Quarterly, LXIV, i (July 1960), 1-13.

Austin, Library. Austin and Travis County Collection.
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

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.

Texas was once an independent country: After winning its independence from Mexico in 1836, Texas became its own country, known as the Republic of Texas. It existed as an independent nation for nine years before being annexed by the United States in 1845.
Texas random facts
Travis County, Texas, is located in the central part of the state and encompasses the capital city of Austin. The county has a rich history that spans centuries, beginning with the indigenous Native American tribes who inhabited the area long before European settlement.

European exploration of the region began in the 17th century when Spanish explorers ventured into what is now Travis County. However, it was not until the early 19th century that permanent settlements were established. In 1835, the area became part of the Republic of Texas after gaining independence from Mexico, and the county was officially created in 1840.

Travis County was named after William Barret Travis, a Texas Revolution hero who commanded the Texan forces during the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. Throughout the 19th century, the county experienced significant growth and development, driven by factors such as the arrival of immigrants, the expansion of the railroad, and the establishment of institutions like the University of Texas at Austin in 1883.

During the 20th century, Travis County continued to evolve and modernize. Austin, the county seat and state capital, grew into a vibrant and culturally diverse city, known for its live music scene, technological innovations, and progressive policies. The county became a center for government, education, and business, attracting a wide range of industries and residents.

Today, Travis County is one of the most populous and economically vibrant counties in Texas. It is home to a diverse population and a wide range of cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities. The county's history, coupled with its present-day dynamism, contributes to its unique character and makes it a significant region in the Lone Star State.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Travis County, Texas.

  • Pre-19th Century: The area that would become Travis County was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Tonkawa and Lipan Apache.

  • 1691: Spanish explorers, including Domingo Terán de los Ríos and Alonso de León, explored the region.

  • 1835: Texas Revolution against Mexico begins, and the area becomes part of the Republic of Texas.

  • 1839: Waterloo, a small village settled near the Colorado River, is selected as the site for the new capital of the Republic of Texas.

  • 1840: Travis County is officially established and named after William Barret Travis, a hero of the Texas Revolution.

  • 1842: The capital is officially named Austin after Stephen F. Austin, "The Father of Texas."

  • 1871: The Houston and Texas Central Railway reaches Austin, facilitating transportation and spurring growth.

  • 1883: The University of Texas at Austin is founded.

  • 1891: The Texas State Capitol building, an iconic landmark, is completed.

  • 1930s-1940s: The construction of dams, including Mansfield Dam and Tom Miller Dam, on the Colorado River provides flood control and creates Lake Travis and Lake Austin, respectively.

  • 1970s-1990s: Austin experiences significant growth and becomes known for its live music scene, technology industry, and progressive culture.

  • 2000s-Present: Travis County continues to grow in population and economic significance, with Austin being recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.