“A house with two names?” a curious voice might ask. Here at 901 Rio Grande Street stands the Moore-Flack House Plaque, marking a home with a tale as grand as its Victorian façade. This isn’t just any plaque. It’s a window into Austin’s past, revealing the lives of two prominent families intertwined with this house.
The story begins in 1887. Local builder Charles Funk constructed this beautiful home for John M. and Estelle Moore. John Moore, a former Texas Legislator and district attorney, was a significant figure in Texas politics. He served as secretary of state for Governor Lawrence Sullivan Ross, a testament to his influence. Imagine the political discussions, the hopes and dreams for a growing Texas, that might have echoed within these walls.
But the story of the Moore-Flack House doesn’t end there. In 1901, Laura A.E. Flack, a remarkable Austin businesswoman, purchased the house. Laura, known for her business acumen and ownership of several buildings on Congress Avenue, added her own touch to the house. In the 1920s, she blended the home’s Victorian charm with a neo-classical revival porch, a reflection of her forward-thinking spirit. The Moore-Flack House remained a cherished family home until Laura’s passing in 1933 and remained within the family for another four decades.
The Moore-Flack House Plaque serves as a reminder that behind every historic facade lies a story. It’s a story of ambition, change, and the enduring legacy families leave on a city.