Cox-Craddock House
Why it's listed
Built in 1928 on a sloping, tree-covered lot beside Waller Creek in Austin's Stark Addition, this two-story Colonial Revival house was designed by local architect Hugo Franz Kuehne for Robert Alameth Cox. Buff brick walls, a pedimented entry porch with fluted wooden columns, dentil and modillion cornices, limestone window keystones and three dormers give the south facade a formal, symmetrical look. A two-story sleeping porch on the east side breaks that symmetry. Inside, the living room and library contain carefully detailed cabinetry and woodwork, and a carved mantel is assumed to be the work of woodcarver Peter Mansbendel. Terraces and a curving drive shape the landscaped grounds. Later owner Larry Craddock enclosed the piazza and converted the butler's pantry to a bath, the only notable interior change. The house was listed for its architecture, as an excellent local example of the Colonial Revival style and of Kuehne's approach to adapting historic styles for his clients.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an excellent example of Colonial Revival architecture in Austin and reflects the skill of its architect, Hugo Franz Kuehne. It shows how Kuehne adapted a historic style to suit a client's needs, and it retains a high level of integrity with fine brick, woodwork and landscaping.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 01000612, listed May 30, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 720 E. 32nd St., Austin |
|---|---|
| County | Travis County |
| Listed | May 30, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01000612 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1928 |
| Architect / builder | Kuehne, Hugo Franz (architect) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; described as in need of some repair but with few alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 30.29253, -97.72961 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 01000612.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5179858
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.