Norwood Tower honored as state historic landmark
Designation is state's highest honor.
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By Elizabeth Campbell
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Monday, May 21, 2007

For more than three-quarters of a century, the Norwood Tower has been part of the Austin skyline and housed members of some of the city's most prominent families and businesses. Today, the Texas Historical Commission is recognizing the 16-story edifice with its rose window, gargoyles and ornate tracery as a historical landmark, the state's highest honor given to a historic structure for architectural integrity and historical associations.

A reception and dedication ceremony to celebrate the recognized Texas landmark will begin at 5 p.m. today in the lobby of the building at 114 W. Seventh St. Mayor Will Wynn and Luci Baines Johnson will unveil the state marker. Johnson and her husband live in the building's penthouse.

Larry Kolvoord
AMERICAN-STATESMAN
(enlarge photo)

The Norwood Tower in downtown Austin will be recognized today as a historical landmark by the Texas Historical Commission. Noted for its gargoyles and ornate tracery, the 16-story building, which opened in 1929, is owned by members of President Lyndon Johnson's family. Texas has the largest historical marker program in the U.S.

(enlarge photo)

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"The recognition of a building's historic value offers an education for the community in the history of what's come before us and of those who have made Austin what it is today," said Phoebe Allen, a freelance historical researcher.

In 1925, Ollie O. Norwood bought the site, and he hired the firm of Giesecke and Harris to design the building, which opened in 1929. Early tenants included former Gov. Dan Moody, who operated his law firm there. Today, members of President Lyndon Johnson's family own the building.

The honor also protects Norwood Tower, Allen said. After a state recognizes a building as a historic landmark, the building is protected from demolition, and the landmark commission must approve any changes to the exterior beyond standard maintenance, she said.

Designating a building as a historic site is an involved process, said Allen, who led the research effort for Norwood Tower.

To apply for city and state landmark status, Allen and others created a narrative for the tower, compiling documentation on past owners, tenants and information from the architect's family and others who were involved with the building. The owners now plan to seek national landmark status, Allen said.

With 12,000 markers, Texas has the largest historical marker program in the country and considers more than 200 marker applications annually.

ecampbell@statesman.com; 445-3851
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