Fischer House
Why it's listed
Built in 1882 at 1008 West Avenue, this small one-story house of brick and cut limestone was constructed by Prussian-born stonemason Joseph Fischer and his son Francis, and served as both office and residence for the family. Its design is a subdued version of the High-Victorian Italianate style, with a symmetrical plan, low hipped roof, wide eaves on wooden modillions and brackets, stone quoins, and keystoned hood molds over the windows and door. Few small houses of this type survive in Austin; the nearby Twin Houses on West 14th Street are the main comparable examples. Francis Fischer later worked on the State Capitol, University of Texas buildings, the Austin Y.M.C.A. and a St. Edward's University building. The family kept the house until 1938. It later served as a residence, barbershop and bookstore before a 1979-80 restoration, after which it became professional offices. The front porch was removed and the rear porch enclosed.
Significance in brief: The house is a restrained, small-scale example of High-Victorian Italianate design with Greek Revival symmetry. It is one of very few small Italianate stone houses surviving in Austin, comparable to the Twin Houses on West 14th Street. It also reflects the craftsmanship of Francis Fischer, who became a prominent Austin stonemason.
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 82001741, listed December 16, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1008 West Ave., Austin |
|---|---|
| County | Travis County |
| Listed | December 16, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001741 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1882 |
| Architect / builder | Joseph and Francis Fischer |
| Architectural style | Italianate (High-Victorian), with Greek Revival symmetry |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Renovated, in excellent condition, occupied and used as professional office space. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | West Downtown Austin Historic District |
| Coordinates | 30.27467, -97.74918 (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 82001741.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5454425
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.