Robinson-Macken House
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Marker Text: Built in 1826 for the family of Elizabeth and John Robinson, Sr., this two-and one-half-story frame house is a fine example of the second empire style of architecture coupled with Italianate detailing, located within the original 1939 Austin town plan drawn by Edwin Waller, it is in close proximity to the houses built by the locally prominent Bremond family (three blocks east), it shares stylistic similarities with the Bremond houses, now preserved as the Bremond Block Historic District. Three of John and Elizabeth Robinson's children married into the Bremond family.
The Robinsons' son Eugene, purchased the house from the other Robinson heirs in 1907. between 1909 and 1912 he had it moved fifty feet north of its original site to make room for another structure. The house was purchased in 1928 by Joe and Bridget Macken, in whose family it remained until 1983. Both John Robinson and Joe Macken were Austin community leaders, serving at different times as chief of the Volunteer Fire Department and city aldermen. Prominent features of the L-plan Robinson-Macken house include projecting bay windows with classical detailing, pile milled wood elements, dormer windows, and a mansard roof. Additional Plate; Chartered in Itasca in 1904. The Presbyterian Children's Home and service agency purchased the property in 1985 for executive offices. (1986) |
Addition Plate: Chartered in Itasca in 1904, the Presbyterian Children's Home and Service Agency purchased this property in 1990 for executive offices.
Marker No: 4309
Aluminum 27 x 42 Subject Marker
Texas Historic Landmark
National Register of Historic Places
Geographic: 30.271955,-97.748474
Location: 702 Rio Grande Street, Austin
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