The Simple Life: Archeological Investigations of a German Immigrant Family Compund in Austin, Texas.

Summary

This paper explores the Schneider family, German immigrants who, between 1854 and 1920, built a successful saloon, general store, and a small real-estate empire in the heart of Austin, Texas.  Over a period of seventy years, they witnessed their neighborhood transition from quiet residential area, to  bawdy Red Light District, and eventually become a warehouse district. In spite of the family’s growing land wealth, they lived a modest lifestyle; and they remained in their original home until the 1920s.  Archeological investigations of their home, store and rental properties have demonstrated a tendency toward conservatism and a resistance to modernization. The family maximized, reused and adapted space whenever possible; and, they consistently resisted city planning efforts to install modern amenities in their own home and in the properties they leased out.  Their story offers a vivid micro-scale look at how one immigrant family held steadfast in the face of urban transition.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• In the City: archaeology and the personal experience of urban transition   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2013

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 475