W. C. Kleine House

William C Kleine was born on January 12, 1872, in Gonzales, Texas, to August and Babette Pfeuffer Kleine, German immigrants. August, a skilled furniture maker, established a thriving business in Gonzales, operating a store at the northwest corner of present-day Texas Heroes Square.

After graduating from Texas A&M College, William initially worked alongside his father before shifting to real estate. On January 17, 1900, he married Julia Bingham Trigg of Lockhart, Texas. Julia, born on October 7, 1875, was the daughter of Bingham Trigg of Missouri and Fannie Field Trigg of Alabama, who later settled in Austin. William and Julia had two sons.

In 1907, William built this elegant one-story Prairie-style home, reflecting the popular architectural trends of the early 20th century. Tragically, on June 24, 1920, William was fatally injured in a hunting accident when his shotgun discharged unexpectedly.

This home features spacious rooms with eleven-foot ceilings and showcases exquisite longleaf and curly pine woodwork with a natural finish. Quarter-sawn longleaf pine floors extend throughout the house, except in the master bedroom, which is floored in oak. The open and airy design is highlighted by three sets of nine-foot French doors and two sets of nine-foot pocket doors. During the 1997 restoration, great care was taken to maintain the home’s historical integrity by incorporating period-appropriate light fixtures, stained glass elements, and vintage-style bath fixtures. The original kitchen was also updated with custom cabinets made from longleaf pine and beaded wood panels, preserving the home’s timeless elegance.