History behind Horton-Duval House explored!

Albert C. Horton acquired a 4.36 acre tract of land property for a house on what was once Lockhart Highway in 1842. Albert C. Horton was elected Vice-President of the Republic of Texas in 1838 and was involved in the Mexican War for three months during his short military career. He was elected Lieutenant Governor and was acting Governor for 18 months. He was also a veteran of the Texas War for Independence.

Thomas Duval purchased this property from Albert C. Horton in 1846. Thomas Duval was Secretary of State, Judge for the Second Judicial District and appointed Judge for the United States Court for the Western District of Texas. Federal Judge Thomas H. Duval owned the house from 1852 to 1855.

The structure you see today located on Bluff Springs Road was built around 1850. The Horton-Duval House was built by Sneed's slaves. The Horton-Duval House was once a plantation house purposed as a home for slave owners prior to the Civil War era. The Horton-Duval House served as slave quarters for the Sneed family. Not only did house serve as a home for slave owners, it served as a living quarters for slaves. (Ref: https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=217562)

Construction was finished by hand. Some of the walls and all of the fireplaces were limestone that was quarried from the Sneed farm. Lumber was used for the roof and floors in this single unit structure. The Horton-Duval House was more than likely designed by architect and general contractor Abner Hugh Cook. The house was an L-shaped building.

Judge Sebron Graham Sneed bought 470 acres of property south of Austin, Texas for a farm they had purchased around a sum of $1,000 in 1854. Located on the 470 acre property was a single story structure called Horton-Duval House. The Horton-Duval House was located near that property.


James B. Thaxton purchased the property in 1885. He used the land to ferment cotton and for a farm. A separate kitchen was built by James B. Thaxton which was later connected by a timber wing. He remodeled the house several times.

Horton-Duval House was purchased by Calvin L. Hughs and his wife in the year of 1906. The sale for Horton-Duval House was finalized in 1907. Calvin L. Hughs owned the property from 1906 to 1917. The Horton-Duval House was remodeled with improvements in 1920. Improvements were made to the limestone foundation in 1922.



Mr. William O. Karcher was listed as owner of the Horton-Duval House in from 1976 to 1979 in the Austin City Directory. His wife was listed as owner as well. In 1976, this property was designated a Recorded Texas Landmark in for its historic significance at the state level.

By 1977, the Horton-Duval House met conditions of the Preservation Ordinance. Mr. William O. Karcher was opposed to the zoning. The zoning was changed from Interim "A" Residence to "A-H" Residence-Historic. This zoning change prohibited modifications and alterations to the Horton-Duval House. Horton-Duval House was designated a city historic landmark in 1977 which at the time it was in excellent condition and occupied as a residence. (Ref: Planning Commission—Austin, Texas, Reg. Mtg, 5/3/77)

Austin American-Statesman had listed Horton-Duval House as another South Austin landmark in the year of 1979. (Ref: Austin American-Statesman, Page 137,  Thursday, May 10, 1979)

Prior to Robert T. Davis, Don McIntyre had owned the Horton-Duval House for a short number of years. In 1984, the former Horton-Duval House was sold to Robert T. Davis for an amount of $49,000 according to Travis County Public Records. (Ref: Travis County Deeds, Volume 8426, Page 65)

A home-run business called INTERNATIONAL MICRO FILM FOUNDATION, INC operated there from 1984 to 1992. Robert T. Davis and Associates, Inc. operated out of that house as well. INTERNATIONAL MICRO PHONO operated out of this house also. Robert T. Davis shut down both of his businesses in 2002. (Ref: https://bizstanding.com/p/international+micro-phono+inc-185498302)


According to Travis County Deeds, Majid Hemassi had purchased the property from Robert T. Davis and Resolution Trust Corporation on the date of 8/28/1992. (Ref: Travis County Deeds, Volume 11768, Page 810)

Horton-Duval House was part of the 23 Austin-area properties auctioned off by the Resolution Trust Corporation in 1992. The Resolution Trust Corporation asked no more than $250,000 as the suggested opening bid on any of the properties. (Ref: Austin American-Statesman, 12 office complexes in Austin area on RTC auction block, May 12, 1992)

A fire mysteriously destroyed the house on March 2, 1996. The cause of this fire was unknown. It was most likely arson. The same way the Sneed House caught on fire mysteriously. Old structures such as this one are more prone to catch on fire. The roof perished in flames while stone work was significantly damaged. (Ref: Austin American-Statesman, HISTORY IN FLAMES, Fire guts historical frontier Horton-Duval house, March 2, 1996)


An application for demolition to Horton-Duval House was filed by Majid Hemassi in 1998. A public on an appeal of the decision by the Texas Historic Landmark Commission to deny an application for a demolition permit for the Horton-Duval House was denied on December 10, 1998. 2 appeals for an application for demolition were vehemently denied by the City of Austin due to a decision by the Texas Historic Landmark Commission citing the Horton-Duval House as a historic landmark despite not having been given a Texas Historic Landmark sign. (Ref: https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=94913)

In summer of 2003, public hearing was held by Austin City Council to approve an ordinance amending Chapter 25-2 of the Austin City Code by rezoning the property locally known as 6706 Bluff Springs Road from family residence-historic (SF-3-H) combining district zoning to commercial-liquor sales (CS-i) district zoning. (Ref: https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=88800)

A decision was made to keep the historic house intact over demolition. Everyone serving as city council at time agreed to zone the property as family residence-historic (SF-3-H) to commercial district with historic overlay. (Ref: https://abc.austintexas.gov/attachment/attachmentDownload.jsp?p=rhL9yeJHMmUCynYV0gpaHYQlUeakbjOS5oWueW5EJIq7inE%2BsPiJJR3CO38Fn9WPo5kPrLtpNNQzcUTQ5r9bzwGOK%2Frf1ytN0XvV3heYsomfPyetjo%2FV9cBjn%2FUJYqHN)

It was discovered during the meeting that Majid Hemassi was not financially able to renovate the property. He appealed for help from the City to protect the property from vandalism and to provide some financial assistance. That is why there has been no structural repairs made. Walls of the structure are in good enough condition and can be preserved. 

As of right now, there are no plans to demolish the Horton-Duval House. Majid Hemassi is listed as the current owner of the Horton-Duval House.


The Horton-Duval House is one of the few surviving pre-Civil War structures in the city of Austin. The few surviving pre-Civil War structures in Austin deteriorate further into despair with some structures or buildings almost beyond repair due to years of neglect, erosion, disaster, and vandalism. The Horton-Duval House is no exception to this case. Condition of Horton-Duval House is quite the same condition as the Sneed House. The Horton-Duval House is a city historic landmark. Landmarks such as this one are important so we do not forget about our cultural history from the past.

Currently the Horton-Duval House lays in terrible condition almost beyond repair due to years of neglect. Overtime as years went by, Horton-Duval House was vandalized by criminals and transients. Elements of neglect, vandalism, and erosion are evident. With signs of vegetation nature has taken over this place. It would take millions of dollars in an effort to revitalize or rebuild the Horton-Duval House due to its deteriorating condition.


The Horton-Duval House is located at 6706 Bluff Springs Road, Austin, Texas, US 78744. Other addresses used were 6705 Bluff Springs Road, Austin, Texas, US 78744 and 6700 Bluff Springs Road, Austin, Texas, US 78744.