Lundberg Bakery (Austin, Texas)

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]

Old Bakery
Texas State Antiquities Landmark
The Old Bakery and Emporium
Location1006 Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas, USA
Coordinates30°16′19.92″N 97°44′29.4″W
Area0.1 acres (0.040 ha)
Built1876
ArchitectJohn Didelot
Architectural styleEarly Commercial
Websitewww.austintexas.gov/obemporium
NRHP reference No.69000214[1]
RTHL No.14949
TSAL No.621
Significant dates
Added to NRHPDecember 17, 1969
Designated RTHL1966
Designated TSAL5/28/1981

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]

  • East elevation
  • East elevation detail
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References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  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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