The History of Baker School

Tucked into the heart of Austin’s Hyde Park neighborhood, Baker School has been a symbol of learning, resilience, and community for over a century. Opened in 1911 on the site where the Hyde Park Pavilion once stood, the school quickly became a cornerstone of north central Austin’s growing public school system.

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Baker School was named in honor of Deitt Clinton Baker, a prominent local figure who played a key role in shaping education in Austin. A former school inspector, civic leader, and founder of the city’s first public library, Baker left a lasting impact on the city’s educational and cultural institutions.

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The school’s original three-story building welcomed students with its wide windows, classical columns, and walls built from Austin’s own Butler buff brick—a familiar local material pulled from the banks of the Colorado River. As Austin grew, so did Baker. Additions were made over time, including a major expansion in 1952 that reflected the postwar era’s bold, functional architecture, creating a courtyard at the center of the campus and extending its reach to more students.

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Inside, much of the original character still lingers beneath modern updates—chalkboards from the 1910s, oak floors, and even green industrial light fixtures that hint at decades of student life and learning.

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Though it’s no longer a functioning school, Baker’s legacy continues. Its walls hold memories from generations of Austinites who passed through its halls. Today, as the historic building finds new life after its extensive renovation as an office building, housing artists, musicians, non-profits and creative businesses of all types, the spirit of Baker lives on—an enduring reminder of Austin’s commitment to education, culture, and community.