Details for Hirshfeld Cottage

Historical Marker — Atlas Number 5453006441

Data

Marker Number 6441
Atlas Number 5453006441
Marker Title Hirshfeld Cottage
Index Entry Hirshfeld Cottage
Address 305 W 9th St.
City Austin
County Travis
UTM Zone 14
UTM Easting 620857
UTM Northing 3349488
Subject Codes judges; houses, residential buildings; Jewish topics; German immigrants/immigration; markets, merchantiles
Marker Year 1962
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Yes
Marker Location 305 W 9th St., Austin
Private Property No
Marker Condition In Situ
Marker Size 27" x 42"
Marker Text German native Henry Hirshfeld (1834-1911) migrated to the United States at the age of fifteen. After working with his two uncles in Mobile, Alabama, he moved to Georgetown (28 mi. N), where he enlisted in the Confederate Army. Following his service in the Civil War, Hirshfeld moved to Austin and entered the mercantile business. By 1868, when he married Jennin Melasky, he owned a clothing store and was becoming a prominent businessman of the city. Three years later Governor E. J. Davis appointed him as the first vice president of the newly created State Board of Trade. Active in civic development, Hirshfeld was also as early leader of Austin's Jewish community. He was a founder and the first president of congregation Beth Israel, established in 1876 on the second floor of his Congress Avenue building. Hirshfeld had this one-story stone cottage built for his family in 1873. Construction by Ed Christian, Ferdinand Dohme,and S. Loomis. It features a widow's walk on the roof and jigsaw detailing on the porch. After the family moved to their new residence on the adjacent east lot in 1888, the cottage was maintained as rental property. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1962
ATLAS_NUM=5453006441

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