Badu Building, Bank building in Llano County, Texas
The Badu Building is a bank building in Llano County featuring native granite walls arranged in a checkerboard pattern and red brick in Renaissance Revival style. The structure sits at the corner of Bessemer Avenue and Tarrant Street and now operates as a restaurant and event venue.
The building was constructed in 1891 during a period of iron mining activity in the region and originally housed the First National Bank. French mineralogist N.J. Badu purchased it in 1898 and gave it his name.
The marble floors and carved wooden details at ground level show the banking heritage of Llano County in the late 1800s. These elements remind visitors of a time when this place was central to the financial life of the area.
The building is easy to locate at a major street corner in downtown and is accessible as a private event venue today. The surrounding area is walkable and offers straightforward access to other parts of town.
The architects Larramour and Watson from Austin incorporated local granite into the distinctive checkerboard pattern on the facade. This unusual design choice made the building a recognizable landmark in town.
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