Friday, June 26, 2015

Historical and Glorious Walking Tour~


 Historical Walking Tours....I love them!


When we lived in Austin, Texas, I was lucky enough go on a walking tour of some the the oldest and most elegant and historical homes! What a treat. 

These gorgeous old homes were just stunning, to get to walk through them was magical
and so very interesting. 

Take a look~



Eugene Bremond House


This house was built in 1873. In 1874, Eugene Bremond paid $15,000 for both the house and the empty lot next door to the east.  In 1872, Eugene Bremond was a widower with four young children to care for. He married again in 1874, this time to Augusta Palm. He moved his children and new bride to this house on the southwest corner of the block. Eugene and August had two more children. 


  Walter Bremond House


At first this was the home of a sister of Eugene Bremond, Josephine Bremond Crosby, who lived there briefly with her husband Josiah.  In 1887, Eugene decided to remodel it.  Local master builder George Fiegel was hired to add one and a half stories to the stone house, transforming it into a fashionable Second Empire home.

It was a wedding gift from Eugene to his son, Walter, and his bride Mary Anderson.

North-Evans Chateau


The North-Evans Chateau, aka The Bellevue Chateau, located on the Bremond Block at 710 San Antonio Street, is supposedly haunted by Athalie North, the daughter of Harvey and Catherine.  She was a pianist but died young coming back from a music school in Europe.  They say she plays at various pianos throughout the house at all hours and her apparition has been seen.  Today the house is lovingly maintained and preserved by the members of the Austin Woman’s Club. Features and amenities from the late 1800s include:



The Bremond Block Historic District is a collection of eleven historic homes in downtown Austin, Texas, United States and was constructed from the
1850s to 1910.


Bremond Block
Eugene Bremond, an early Austin banker, established a mini real-estate monopoly for his own family in the downtown area.  The homes in this block now serve as exquisite examples of elaborate late-19th-century homes.

In the 1840's this block which is just a short walk from Congress Ave. was still a wild place -- complete with mortal danger and Indians. But by 1866 it was becoming a residential neighborhood. Austin is rightfully proud of it: it is a rare example of a Victorian-era neighborhood still intact, beautifully landscaped with lush planting and giant live oaks. Interested architecture buffs can find a few more homes from this glorious era in the neighborhood blocks just west of the Bremond Block.

The block was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, and is considered one of the few remaining Victorian neighborhoods of the middle to late nineteenth century in Texas. Six of these houses were built or expanded for members of the families of brothers Eugene and John Bremond, who were prominent in late-nineteenth-century Austin social, merchandising, and banking circles.

The John and Pierre Bremond houses are currently owned by the Texas Classroom Teachers Association, and the John Bremond house serves as the headquarters for the association.






Have a glorious day and weekend!











17 comments:

  1. I would love to do that tour!

    Have you ever done the holiday tour in Gonzalez? It's in December...it's wonderful!

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  2. Beautiful homes, I love touring historic homes....We just looked at a historic cottage here in NC that I really wanted but too many cons on purchasing it! Have a lovely weekend.

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  3. Hello Nancy, they are lovely homes, the first one is my favorite. Have a happy day and weekend ahead!

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  4. Nancy, walking through these historical homes would be so fascinating to me. Nel actually loves these kind of homes, and it would be a dream for her to live in one. I bet there was so many interesting things for you to see. Love those BIG front porches. It's nice that they preserve these homes for all to see.

    Thanks for sharing these beautiful homes with us. Have a terrific weekend.

    ~Sheri

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  5. Nancy, Those homes are so beautiful...I would hate to pay the taxes on them though. LOL. Whenever I see an old home, I can't help but admire the woodwork. Really old home always have small closets, as way back when people just didn't own so many things. I find that interesting too. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  6. What gorgeous homes, Nancy. It is wonderful that they have been preserved. xo Laura

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  7. Wonderful history and gorgeous homes. I love these tours too.
    Kris

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  8. These are indeed beautiful homes, Nancy. Austin doesn't have many such manses, so it's nice that these are preserved.

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  9. Looks like a beautiful walking tour! Love those homes, gorgeous! Have a blessed day dear Nancy! HUGS!

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  10. Gorgeous homes..Love the Architecture..

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  11. Oh lawz...those homes are beeeyouuutifullll! I adore walking tours, manufacturing tours and just about any tour where I learn something. Love your photos...great job!

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  12. Wow, I would love to see those gorgeous homes, Nancy. I've lived in Texas since 1986 and have never been to Austin proper, although I've been nearby. I have visited other parts of the Hill Country and loved it. My youngest son was even married in Dripping Springs at a lovely ranch.

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  13. Ooh...Amazing tour! I love things like this. Love looking at old houses. My husband is drawn to the Old Plantation homes. Thanks for sharing with us today. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  14. Oh what lovely homes. I would enjoy that tour. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.

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  15. Hi Nancy :)

    Those homes are gorgeous! I loved the history lesson.

    Also, thank you so much for coming to visit me during the garden party :)

    rue

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I love your comments!
Nancy