501 6th Street

In 1898 William D. Yett built this two-story frame house. It has a mansard roof and a garage apartment. Born in Burnet County, Yett earned his living as a physician. He later served in the state legislature and was mayor of Austin from 1919-1926.

American buildings were taxed by their height (or number of stories) to the base of the roof. The height was only measured up to the cornice line, making any living space contained in a mansard roof exempt. A 1902 revision of the law permitted building three, or even four stories within such a roof.
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The house was remodeled in the mid 1990's, and an enclosed swimming pool was added a few years later. The Laura Langham family now lives in the home.