Lundberg Bakery (Austin, Texas)

Lundberg Bakery

The Old Bakery and Emporium
Location 1006 Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas, USA
Coordinates 30°16′19.92″N 97°44′29.4″W / 30.2722000°N 97.741500°W / 30.2722000; -97.741500Coordinates: 30°16′19.92″N 97°44′29.4″W / 30.2722000°N 97.741500°W / 30.2722000; -97.741500
Area 0.1 acres (0.040 ha)
Built 1876
Architect John Didelot
Architectural style Early Commercial
Website ci.austin.tx.us/parks/bakery1.htm
NRHP Reference # 69000214[1]
RTHL # 14949
TSAL # 621
Significant dates
Added to NRHP December 17, 1969
Designated RTHL 1966
Designated TSAL 5/28/1981

The Lundberg Bakery (now known as the Old Bakery and Emporium) is a historic building in downtown Austin, Texas. It is located at 1006 Congress Avenue, half a block south of the Texas State Capitol grounds. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 17, 1969.[1][2]

History

The building is constructed of limestone with a brick facade, and features a large cast-iron eagle at the peak of the gabled roof overlooking Congress Avenue. The building was completed for use as a bakery in 1876. The building served as a bakery until the death of its Swedish born owner, Charles Lundberg (1835-1895), who had settled into Austin during 1872. At the time the bakery first began operations, bread was not sold wrapped or packaged. People would wait in line with cloth lined baskets to place the bread in after buying it. Short story writer William Sydney Porter frequented the bakery as he passed it to and from work while employed at the General Land Office Building. .[3]

The building was used as a bakery until 1936, and after that for a variety of purposes. The building changed hands frequently until being bought and refurbished by the Austin Heritage Society in 1962. It was threatened with demolition in 1970, when a new building was planned for the Texas Department of Transportation, but saved when excavations next door uncovered the foundations of the previous state capitol building (a temporary structure built in 1882). Following this discovery, the foundations were converted to a historical plaza, and the bakery was saved. The Old Bakery was sold to the State of Texas which deeded the building and property to the City of Austin in 1980.[4]

The Old Bakery and Emporium now houses the Lundberg-Maerki Historical Collection. The art gallery located on the third floor features a rotating schedule of exhibitions including artworks of local artists. The Old Bakery and Emporium operates as a consignment store spotlighting handcrafted gifts and fine art by local artisans with a visitor information center for tourist looking for fun attractions around Austin.[5][6]

References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ "Old Bakery, also known as: Lundberg Bakery". LandmarkHunter.com. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Citizens, The Famous, The Ordinary". servantgirlmurders.com. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Old Bakery & Emporium". Old Bakery Ideathon. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Lundberg Bakery" (PDF). Old Bakery Ideathon. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Old Bakery & Emporium". Austin Museum Partnership. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
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