The cities of San Marcos, Buda and Kyle have seen significant advancements and renovations since their founding. A few buildings, however, have stood the test of time.
Check out historic buildings from the Hays County region, including notable homes and a former government building.
San Marcos
The Cephas House
The home was built in the city’s historic Dunbar neighborhood by Ulysses Cephas, a blacksmith, carpenter, musician and entrepreneur born in 1884 to formerly enslaved parents. While the home is not open for regular visitation, the space occasionally hosts cultural programming, art workshops and special events.
Built in the 1920s217 Martin Luther King Drive, San Marcos
The Cephas House, built in the 1920s. (Michael Milliorn/Community Impact)
Charles S. Cock House
Standing as the oldest remaining residential building in San Marcos, the house was originally owned by Charles S. Cock, who was a former San Marcos mayor. The home received a Texas Historical Marker medallion and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The building has since become a museum featuring period furniture and collectibles, including several Cock family pieces.
Built in 1867400 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos
The Charles S. Cock House, built in 1867. (Michael Milliorn/Community Impact)
Buda
McElroy-Severn House
The home served travelers and local residents as a dogtrot cabin with an open breezeway between two rooms. The Onion Creek Post Office was added behind the house in 1876 as a small limestone structure.
Built in 1875880 Main St., Buda
The McElroy-Severn House, built in 1875. (Michael Milliorn/Community Impact)
The Carrington House
The structure was built on the second plot of land sold in Buda by LD & Sarah Carrington. It served as a hotel and boarding house to service railroad workers and travelers until 1897. It is the oldest surviving building in Downtown Buda and serves as office space for various businesses.
Built in 1882320 N. Main St., Buda
The Carrington House, built in 1882. (Michael Milliorn/Community Impact)
Kyle
Katherine Anne Porter House
Katherine Anne Porter, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner, lived in the home from 1892-1901. After moving to Chicago and becoming an established author, Porter returned to Texas to visit her former home. The building was designated as a National Literary Landmark on June 13, 2002.
Built in 1890508 Center St., Kyle
The Katherine Anne Porter House, built in 1890. (Michael Milliorn/Community Impact)
Historic Kyle City Hall
In addition to its use as Kyle’s city hall, the building served as the high school auditorium until 1937. The structure later served as a meeting space for the congregation of a Baptist church following a fire and the congregation of a Methodist church. In 2018, the building was renamed to the Krug Community Center after the late law enforcement officer and former mayor Pete Krug, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The building now serves as a meeting space for the Kyle Area Senior Zone.
Built in 1912109 Burleson Road, KyleAll information presented in this story was compiled from Visit San Marcos, Discover Buda and the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Historic Kyle City Hall, built in 1912. (Michael Milliorn/Community Impact)
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