Goodman Building Plaque

What do a grocery store and an elite school have in common? The answer is right here, in front of the Goodman Building. This unassuming structure, with its distinctive brickwork and iron railings, has a surprisingly diverse past. The Goodman Building was constructed in the 1880s. Its purpose? To house a grocery store run by Joseph Goodman, a prominent local grocer. Imagine, for a moment, the hustle and bustle of 19th-century Austin. This building, just a stone’s throw from the Texas State Capitol, would have been a hub of activity. Customers would have flocked here for their daily necessities, contributing to the city’s burgeoning commercial landscape. But the Goodman Building’s story doesn’t end there. From 1892 to 1896, the upper floor was transformed into Jacob Bickler’s German and English Academy. This elite preparatory school, a far cry from sacks of flour and barrels of sugar, catered to Austin’s well-to-do families. Today, the Goodman Building continues to serve the community, housing state government offices and, in a nod to its lively past, a local bar called “The Cloak Room” in its basement. This building, a silent witness to Austin’s growth and transformation, stands as a testament to the enduring power of history. It reminds us that even the most ordinary places can hold extraordinary stories, waiting to be uncovered and shared.