Can you picture a bustling saloon in the heart of Austin? Imagine a successful black businessman, Hugh B. Hancock, the owner of both the Black Elephant Saloon and the H.B. Hancock Saloon on East 6th Street. Standing right in front of you is a plaque that tells the story of his striking Victorian home, right here in Austin. This house, built for Hugh B. Hancock in 1886, was originally located on 7th Street in the Robertson Hill area of east Austin. The house was later sold in 1904 to Charles Frederick Mann, a German native and railroad engineer. The Mann family lived in the house for five decades and it remained in their possession until 1959. In 1979, the home was moved to its current location on West Avenue. It was renovated by Dr. & Mrs. Earl Howard and used as a physician’s office. The plaque, installed in 1981, celebrates the history of this impressive home and the people who lived in it. It’s a wonderful reminder of the city’s rich history and the vibrant lives of the people who shaped it. So next time you walk past this beautiful house, think about the people who lived there and the stories it holds.
Addcox House Plaque
But that’s not all that makes Addcox House special. It also has an enchanting wraparound porch with arched brick supports.