Hear the echoes of Austin’s past resonate before the Smith-Clark-Smith House Plaque. This marker commemorates more than just a building. It celebrates a legacy of craftsmanship, resilience and the enduring spirit of a city.
The Smith-Clark-Smith House Plaque marks a building with a fascinating story. It involves a fire, a resourceful Scotsman, and a touch of literary mischief. Let’s step back to 1881. The second Texas State Capitol building was destroyed by fire. James Baird Smith, a Scottish architect, was tasked with constructing a temporary capitol. His contract granted him something quite unusual. He got all the material from the Supreme Court building. He also got the old Treasury building and the old Capitol building.
Smith wasn’t one to let resources go to waste. He hauled the salvaged limestone to 14th Street. There, from 1882 to 1884, he built a rental home. This is the Smith-Clark-Smith House we see recognized today. Smith also constructed the main Smith House and a carriage house using the same salvaged materials.
The Smith-Clark-Smith House Plaque isn’t just about architecture. It touches on Austin’s social fabric. Smith built a rental home on an adjacent block. His goal was to provide sturdy lodging for the trades and craftsmen who were building the new Capitol.
But the Smith-Clark-Smith House also has a connection to literature. The celebrated author William Sidney Porter, better known as O. Henry, once lived in Austin. As a young man, O. Henry playfully vandalized sites as a sign of affection for his wife, Athol. One such site was the Smith House not the Smith-Clark-Smith House. He carved her name into a windowsill on the east side of the house.
Both the Smith House and the Smith-Clark-Smith House stand as designated historical landmarks. The Travis County Appraisal District recognizes their significance. The Smith-Clark-Smith House plaque we see today specifically acknowledges the owners. It recognizes their dedication to restoring this building. It is designated as an historical landmark since 1975.
Standing here before the Smith-Clark-Smith House Plaque, we connect with Austin’s narrative. It is a story of rebuilding after destruction. It is also a celebration of architectural ingenuity. It is a testament to the power of preservation. The Smith-Clark-Smith House Plaque is a reminder of the layers of history. These layers are woven into the very fabric of this city. It all began with a fire and a resourceful Scotsman.