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History of the Castleman-Bull House If one examines 19th c. birds eye view maps of Austin, one sees many fine residences between Congress Avenue and East Avenue, now IH-35. Yet nearly all of those homes have been razed. The German Free School/Stevens House on 10th Street survives, Arthur Watson’s Chateau by the Erwin Center, the Waterloo Compound and the Castleman-Bull House are arguably the most significant survivors, though the Nalle-Cloud House was carted off to Manchaca 30 years ago. In truth, there are very few buildings in Austin constructed before 1875. The 1873 Castleman-Bull House is one of the oldest and most substantial 19th century houses in Austin. It is a fine example of the High Victorian Italianate style. The Castleman and Bull families were business and civic leaders of the century. There can be no serious question of the building’s architectural and historical merit. Born in Tennessee in about 1836, Castleman moved to the Republic of Texas at age 2 with his family to Bastrop County. A Confederate major, he was furloughed home and soon established himself as a successful merchant. In 1869 he and his wife, Amelia Smith, acquired the property on which they built their home, likely four years later. His business interests prospered, but his wife died in 1879 and three of the five Castleman children also died young. His son-in-law and daughter Richard and Margaret Castleman Bull resided in the family home. Richard was an accountant, and both he and his wife were extensively involved in Austin civic and philanthropic interests. Bull and his soldier son Alfred both died in the house during the 1918 flu epidemic, and Maj. Castleman two years later. Granddaughter Margaret Bull Moore remained in the house until its sale to St. David’s Episcopal Church in 1963. The house was named Fontaine House by St. David’s for the Rev. Edward Fontaine, who moved to Mississippi in 1859 and who presumably never set foot in the house. Nonetheless, the Castleman House continued to play an important role in the life of the church, serving as Caritas for almost 30 years. In spite of being over 125 years old, the Castleman House retains a high degree of integrity. The exterior of the main block remains substantially intact and critical elements of the interior – the fine staircase, original mantels, woodwork and other features – are still in evidence. Other modifications are largely reversible. The rear ell was added some time after the main block and has been much altered, and thus is not really significant historic fabric. Most historic fabric will follow. |
St. David's Episcopal Church, ca. 1873.
A view looking west on East 7th Street in downtown Austin, ca. 1920s. |
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Phone: 512-474-5198 Fax: 512-476-8687 E-mail: information@hsaustin.org |
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