National Register Listing

Schulze, Walter, House and Industrial Structure

102 Chicon St., Austin, TX
The history of improvements located at 102 Chicon is unclear and indefinite prior to the construction of the Walter Schulze House. Originally part of the Government Tract adjoining the City of Austin, the property was owned by Amelia and G. M. Brass by the 1880s. By 1884, when they sold a portion of Block 3, Outlot 22, to the American Powder Mills of Boston, Massachusetts, the purchase price suggests that there were no improvements. However, when the property appeared as part of the T. Burns Subdivision in 1890, the one-room brick building presently located north of the Walter Schulze House clearly was already present. Notations on the Burns Plat suggest that the tract was used by Tipps,[sic] and Brass, dealers in hardware, but no other records seem to exist which might assist in ascribing a construction date, builder, or user of the building during the 1890s.

In 1902, the American Powder Mills Company sold the tract to W. R. Schulze, at that time a driver with the San Antonio Brewing Association, an organization whose stone building still stands at 815 East 4th Street. Four years later, Schulze had a new residence constructed at 102 Chicon, and he moved to that location. He and his wife subsequently lived in the house until 1944 and 1956, respectively; in 1956 the property was left to the present owner, a niece. In the intervening time, the Schulzes amassed a large amount of real estate, most of it in East Austin, and ran a well-known neighborhood business at property on East 1st Street adjacent to their home. For more than 40 years, the Schulze business was a convenient store for local residents interested in purchasing groceries, beer, feed, cigars, wood, and charcoal, or who wished to have shoes repaired or hair cut.

The combined buildings at 102 Chicon are significant for their associations with a well-known East Austin businessman. They also are significant because the residence is an excellent example of a late Victorian, wood-frame, vernacular building which has stood relatively intact since its construction ca, 1906; and because the attached brick building is a pristine example of a nineteenth-century industrial structure.
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

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.

architecture houses residential buildings
The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, is one of the largest universities in the United States and has produced many notable alumni, including several U.S. presidents.
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 concise overview of the key events in the history 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.