Harris, August Watkins, 1893-1968

Born in Austin, Texas, August Watkins Harris, Sr. (1893-1968), attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he founded the Theta XI fraternity. An architect and artist by profession, Harris worked with Bertram Giesecke (1892-1950) in an architectural firm in Austin. He and Giesecke designed several building in Austin, including Stephen F. Austin High School, the Norwood Tower, and St. Mary’s Cathedral. In addition, Harris wrote on the subject of architectural history, such as Minor and Major Mansions in early Austin (1955). Harris served in both World War I and World War II and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army. In 1922, he married Loula Harris, with whom he had four children, including August Watkins Harris, Jr. (1925-2010), also an Austin architect.

From the guide to the Harris, August Watkins, Papers 89-127., 1959, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

August Watkins “Watt” Harris was a native of Texas, born in 1893 in Austin to Watkins W. Harris and Louise Swartz Harris. He studied architecture at the University of Texas and worked at a local firm before volunteering for military service upon the entry of the United States into World War I. Harris was one of over 3,000 men who entered the First Officers’ Training Camp at Camp Funston (later renamed Camp Stanley) near Leon Springs, Texas, in 1917 May. A month later he was selected for the Coast Artillery Corps, completing his training at Fort Monroe, Virginia, where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1917 August. He served in France near the end of the war and was discharged in 1919.

Returning to Austin, Harris entered into an architectural practice in partnership with Bertram Giesecke. The firm was involved in the design of numerous notable structures in Texas, including the Norwood building in Austin and the Merchant and Manufactures building in Houston, now part of the University of Houston.

Harris was recalled to active military duty in World War II, eventually reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After the war, Harris practiced on his own, becoming particularly involved in the restoration of historic buildings in Austin, including the Texas General Land Office building and the French Legation. He produced two pamphlets on historic Austin buildings and published writings on the subject in journals.

Harris maintained a long-term involvement in the First Officers' Training Camp Association, made up of veterans of the Leon Springs program. The association held its first reunion in 1931, fourteen years after about 1,700 men were commissioned in the U.S. Army following a grueling three-month training session. Harris joined the group soon after and for almost thirty years served as “Ferst Sargint” of the Coast Artillery Corps component of the association, actively recruiting members, organizing events, and corresponding with other ex-officers. A regular attendee at the reunions until a few years before his death, Harris regarded his involvement as one of the most satisfying associations of his life.

Harris and his wife Loula Macgill Ujffy (1900-1993) were the parents of four children. He died in Austin in 1968 January.

From the guide to the August Watkins Harris Papers Col 12313., 1927-1976, (Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas)

Born in Austin, Texas, August Watkins Harris, Sr. (1893-1968), attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he founded the Theta XI fraternity.

An architect and artist by profession, Harris worked with Bertram Giesecke (1892-1950) in an architectural firm in Austin. He and Giesecke designed several building in Austin, including Stephen F. Austin High School, the Norwood Tower, and St. Mary's Cathedral. In addition, Harris wrote on the subject of architectural history, such as Minor and Major Mansions in early Austin (1955). Harris served in both World War I and World War II and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army. In 1922, he married Loula Harris, with whom he had four children, including August Watkins Harris, Jr. (1925-2010), also an Austin architect.

From the description of Harris, August Watkins, Papers, 1959 (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 747046550