Cenote

Cindy Symington did some digging at the Austin History Center and found out who built the house. His name was Sam McDonald, a Black laborer with 6 kids who worked at a store called W.J. Sutor’s at the corner of 2nd and Lavaca that sold “wholesale or retail long-leaf pine, laths, shingles, sash, doors, blinds, paints, oils.” He built the house in 1887.

The original part of the house has long leaf pine floors, so that explains where those came from. The pine will be refinished and remain in the dining area. In the back of house, the floors will be epoxy to comply with health code. The long leaf pine that was removed for the epoxy floors is going to be repurposed into tabletops. I like to think that Sam would approve.