Neighborhood History
Pemberton Heights Treasures from 11th Annual Heritage Homes Tour
(Note: this excerpt from the Summer 2003
Pemberton Journal
contains some great short introductions to some of the beautiful
historic homes in Pemberton Heights.)
1415
Wooldridge Drive: The Fisher-Gideon House
(aka,The Castle)
Built in the 1890s as a water tower and used as the original
Pemberton Heights Realty Office, this historic landmark is an
example of diminutive Gothic architecture. It is currently owned
by Dr. Ron and Linda Barnett and has been occupied over the
years by a succession of colorful and interesting owners,
including
U.T. Architectural Design and History Professor Samuel Gideon
(1875-1945), actress Libby Winters Bunch, State Supreme Court
Justice William Kilgarlin, and
Dell executive and philanthropist Mort Topfer and his wife
Angela.
1505
Wooldridge Drive: The Josephine-Fisher House
Just west of the Castle is a splendid example of the Spanish
Colonial Revival style, built in 1928 by Pemberton Heights
developer Samuel (Budley) Fisher and his wife, Josephine Lucille
Mathen Fisher, who lived in the house with her sons from 1929 to
1942. It is currently owned by Dr. O.B. Jackson. Its
cantilevered balcony, picturesque stuccoed facade, and
ornamental grillwork give it a distinctive Monterey style.
2418 Harris Boulevard: The Goodfriend House
Featuring a Mediterranean Revival style, and currently owned by
Mary and Bob Cocke, this home was built in 1933 by the Page
Brothers, the same Austin architectural firm that built the
Travis County Courthouse. The residence was originally designed
for Benjamin and Augusta Goodfriend, who owned and operated
Goodfriend’s Specialty Shop, a women’s clothing store on
Congress Avenue. Its two-story limestone veneer structure
includes features of several Mediterranean styles, notably
Italian Renaissance and Spanish Eclectic. More of the
Spanish style is evident in the upstairs family room, or sala,
which features original beams, fireplace, windows and floor. The
highlight of the entry hall is the custom-made ornate iron stair
railing with its verdigris finish.
1406 Hardouin Avenue: The Spires House
Built in 1939, the curved corner by the front door, horizontal
bands around the house, brick panels above the front door, and
the flat roof all suggest Art Moderne. The present owners Pamela
and Hunter Barrier worked with Kevin Alter of the U.T. School of
Architecture to renovate and expand the house with considerate
and award-winning additions, and the residence was featured on
the 2002 AIA Homes Tour.
1402 Hardouin Avenue: The Sauer House
This hybrid from 1937 mixes both Prairie style and Colonial
Revival, and is now owned by architect and former U.T. Dean of
Architecture Larry Speck and Mandy
Dealey. While the low pitch of the tile roof and the large,
overhanging eaves evoke the horizontal lines of the Prairie
style, the clear characteristics of the Colonial Revival style
may also be seen in the symmetrical facade, paired first floor
windows and paneled front door with sidelights.
Architect Sinclair Black renovated and updated the house in the
1980s. Many of the built-in bookcases are original, as is the
fireplace.
2500 Wooldridge Drive: The Cole-Greenhill House
Sited prominently on a corner lot, this Tudor cottage was built
in 1936 for Maurice and Virginia Cole. A more sophisticated
example of the Tudor style than most, with its curved front
gable (notice the wavy shingles at the top of the gable) and
irregular massing, its architectural inspiration is drawn from
the vernacular cottages of the Tudor and Stewart reigns. This
home is currently owned by Nick and Kelly Von Kreisler.
2505 Wooldridge Drive:The Allen House
Built in 1940, the Colonial Revival style of this residence is
evident from the symmetrically balanced facade with center door,
front door embellished with sidelights, fanlights and balcony
supported by columns, double-hung windows with multi-pane
glazing, side-gabled roof with exceptional dormer windows, and
masonry veneer. Owners David and Janice Abrams added the wing in
the back of
the house on the south side, as well as the landscaping.
Many thanks to the Heritage Society 2003 Homes Tour Chair (and
Pemberton resident) Michael McCullar, the Heritage Society
members and staff, volunteers, and especially the homeowners for
all of their hard work in presenting this wonderful tour
showcasing our beloved neighborhood.
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