There are many varieties of Mid Century Modern homes in Central Texas located in a wide range of neighborhood settings from urban downtown to country lake. Yet they all share an easily identifiable appearance characterized by a elegantly contemporary, futuristic designs that placed an emphasis on function. Classical styles and excessive features were removed to reveal clean straight lines with practical purposes.
“Midcentury modern” has often been a controversial term that describes a whole movement of architecture, furniture, and graphic design from the middle of the 20th century. Some will include the time from 1933 to 1965, while others would argue the period is specifically limited to 1947 to 1957.
Here are some examples of where to find Mid Century Modern Homes in Central Texas.
Austin Texas Mid Century Modern Homes
Balcones Park
Streets: Balcones Drive
Other Mid Century homes on:
W 31st Street on Shoal Creek trail, Pasadena Heights, Lund Street, River Terrace Circle, Parker Lane
2707 Pearce is a Mid Century Modern style Lake Austin home right on the water!
Mid Century Ranch Homes
The Ranch style originated in southern California in the mid-1930s. Ranch homes were extremely popular with the booming post-war middle class of the 1940s to the 1970s. The style is often associated with tract housing built at this time, particularly in the southwest United States, which experienced a population explosion during this period, with a corresponding demand for housing. The style was soon exported to other nations and became popular worldwide. However, their popularity waned in the late 20th century as neo-eclectic house styles, a return to using historical and traditional decoration, became more popular.
Zilker
Streets: Barton Boulevard
Emerald Street, Rainbow one (waterfront)
Classic Historic Homes in Austin Texas
Classic historic homes in Austin Texas include many architectural styles such as Craftsman, Victorian, and others.
Victorian homes built in the latter half of the 19th century are notable for their asymmetrical, narrow and tall designs. They were often built two to three stories high with a prominent staircase, towers, turrets, and large bay windows – occasionally filled with stained glass – and decorated with an ornately detailed trim.
American Craftsman homes replaced the Victorian style in the late 19th century as middle class home ownership grew, and remained popular through the 1930s. They often include symmetrical low-pitched roof lines, a gabled or hipped roof, exposed rafters or decorative brackets under deeply overhanging eaves, a front porch beneath an extension of the main roof, and tapered, square columns supporting the roof. Among the notable design changes, the kitchen was moved to the center of the home for the first time as cooking became safer and the middle class housewife prepared most of the family meals.
Downtown
410 E. 6th Street, 1802 Lavaca Street
There is a beautiful home at 101 W. 32nd Street, another at 108 Laurel Lane.
Judges Hill
1600 Rio Grande Street is an Austin Landmark home with incredible style.
West Campus
2103 Nueces Street is renovated and has 19 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms
Westfield
In Central Austin is just minutes from the Downtown, UT, Texas State Capital area. Streets: Quarry Road
Pemberton Heights
Stately, historic homes and mature trees that make a great neighborhood.
Streets: Wooldridge Drive
Baylor Street
Rosedale
Streets: Burnet Road, Rosedale Avenue
Hyde Park
Streets: E. 43rd Street, Avenue F
Bouldin area
Streets: W. Mary Street
Cooper Lane 78745
Harris Park Ave. 78705
Classic cottage with original wood shutters at 1115 W 22 1/2 Street
Historic Homes with Commercial Potential
Many Austin area historic homes have commercial potential. Austin may surprise you with 100 year old farmhouses replete with old wells and outbuildings like 15210 Fitzhugh Road and 16048 Hamilton Pool Road on 12+ acres.
Ranches with Historic Homes
Crumley Ranch Road has 95+ acres and a 1940’s home
Historic Homes in Georgetown Texas
Georgetown is full of history and has many fine historic homes and buildings. You will love to two square.
1208 W. Main
New Braunfels, Comal County
In New Braunfels Texas you may get lucky and find a classic farmstead on acreage with historic barn like 2802 W State Highway 46
Mid Century:
Streets: Guada Coma
Boerne, Kendall County
717 N Main is an 1879 home near the town square.
Fredericksburg, Gillespie County
Fredericksburg is full of historic homes, barns and more, many with Texas Historical markers
2175 Wendel Ahrens Road, the Durst House
San Antonio, Bexar County
San Antonio has loads of historic homes, commercial buildings, churches and missions, the most famous mission being the Alamo!
623 Augusta St is a 1907 classic.