Mita Lakhia

The Driscoll

Of all the architecture we passed Saturday afternoon, the Driscoll took my breath away. The strong, lively, Victorian building amidst the downtown rustle was an amazing contrast. When researching the history of the structure, I ran across some interesting findings. When googleing “Driscoll” – my best research method – I found the complete history of Clara Driscoll. Her feats as a women who was committed to preservation is clear with her young self fighting to save the Alamo. Her own history of schooling internationally gave her the strong feeling of needing to save history. The connection she felt with those old building and structures relates to how I myself feel in many instances. The old Victorian house on 15^th where Plan II formal took place fascinated me. My friend who accompanied me couldn’t help but point out how it made perfect sense – my love for history of all kinds allows me to connect better with historical architecture. For Clara it must have been the same feat. She also was highly active as a writer and on the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs. Her accomplishments are phenomenal as is the building which now takes her name. It amazed me how no man’s name appeared after this search. For once the building relates simply to the image of the female! I doubt I will be able to look at it the same way.