DUANE
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Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the Walter Tips House. Now settle in, because this old house has lived more than one life. It was built in 1876, a two-story Victorian, raised up for the family of Walter Tips.
And Walter Tips was a man worth knowing. Born in Germany, he made his way to Texas, fought for the Confederacy, and then set himself up as a hardware merchant prosperous enough to put a fine house on the ground. He'd go on to serve in the state senate from 1893 to 1896.
A life that covered a lot of Texas ground, from 1841 all the way to 1911. The house itself got a facelift in 1909, remodeled into the appearance it carries to this day. Then another prominent businessman, Theo P.
Meyer, took up residence there in 1925 and stayed all the way until 1966. That house knew two long, consequential lives under its roof. Now here's where the story takes a turn.
The structure originally stood adjacent to the historic Bremond Block, west of downtown Austin. Good address, good history. But by 1975, it was scheduled for demolition.
Gone. Just like that. Except Franklin Savings Association had something to say about that.
They rescued the house and moved it to a new site for restoration. A Victorian built in 1876, it had survived remodeling, decades of occupants, and a wrecking crew's plans. Some houses, it seems, simply refuse to be finished.
What the marker says
This two-story Victorian house was built in 1876 for the family of Walter Tips (1841-1911), a prosperous hardware merchant. A native of Germany and Confederate veteran, Tips served in the state senate, 1893-96. The home was remodeled in 1909 to its present appearance. Another prominent businessman, Theo P. Meyer (1878-1966), occupied the residence from 1925 to 1966. The structure was originally located adjacent to the historic Bremond Block west of downtown Austin. Scheduled for demolition in 1975, it was rescued by Franklin Savings Association and moved to this site for restoration. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1976