Vault 55 History:
The Brown Building

The historic place for historic vintage

The Brown Building, an Austin institution, was built in 1938 by prominent businessman and founder of Brown & Root Construction, Herman Brown and architect Charles Henry Page to compliment the Austin skyline and the temperament of its citizens. The building, with its vaulted ceilings and elaborate Art Deco style offices, became an icon of optimism and wealth for a country gripped by the Great Depression.

Aside from being home to many notable residents such as Ed Clark, E.H. Perry, then Congressman Lyndon Johnson, and Mayor Tom Miller, the Brown Building also was home to several well-known radio stations and personalities. Humorist Cactus Pryor began his career for the original Texas Broadcasting Co. and, after WWII, John Connally began his radio career for KTBC-AM.