Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Some history behind INTERNATIONAL MICRO PHONO INC explored.

INTERNATIONAL MICRO PHONO INC operated out of a historic house from the pre-Civil War era called the Horton-Duval House. This business was operated by Robert T. Davis and his 3 other associates. All 4 of them were directors of this business. INTERNATIONAL MICRO PHONO INC dealt with processing microfilm from cameras and projectors. (Ref: https://bizstanding.com/p/international+micro-phono+inc-185498302)


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. (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.

A home-run business called INTERNATIONAL MICRO PHONO INC operated from the former Horton-Duval House from 1979 to 1992. Don McIntyre owned the house and property. Robert T. Davis registered his business on the date of December 13, 1979. INTERNATIONAL MICRO PHONO INC dealt with processing microfilm from cameras and projectors. (Ref: https://bizstanding.com/p/international+micro-phono+inc-185498302)

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)

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

Resolution Trust Corporation purchased the property with help from Robert T. Davis on the stipulation he would still be listed as the property owner. An agreement was made between Resolution Trust Corporation and Robert T. Davis in late 1990.

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. INTERNATIONAL MICRO PHONO INC operated out of this house until 1993 when Robert T. Davis moved the business to his house in West Lake Hills (Westlake). (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)

1509 Flint Ridge Drive, West Lake Hills, Texas, US 78746 was the new location for INTERNATIONAL MICRO PHONO INC beginning in 1993. Robert T. Davis visited the Permit Center to submit an application to the City of West Lake Hills and City of Austin to install a new electrical unit on October 3, 1996. The permit application was filed on October 3, 1996 and a permit was issued on the same date. The applicant to submit an application for the permit. The remodeling work for the electrical wiring of his house spanned between October 1996 to December 1996. That is how the house was remodeled for a new electric service unit. (Ref: https://clustrmaps.com/a/1hlpd0/)

The State of Texas shut down INTERNATIONAL MICRO PHONO INC for non-payment of franchise taxes on August 30, 2002. INTERNATIONAL MICRO PHONO INC was forfeited. This led Robert T. Davis to shut down both of his businesses in 2002. (Ref: https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_tx/0050039100)

INTERNATIONAL MICRO PHONO INC was located at both 6706 Bluff Springs Road, Austin, Texas, US 78744 and 1509 Flint Ridge Drive, West Lake Hills, Texas, US 78746.

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