The word "Maufrais" is stamped all over Austin, but when you google it, you don't get much. Instead, you have to resort to a trip to the library.
Comments:
Thank heavens.
You know, seriously, this was driving me crazy. Maufrais all over the place. I'm not kidding in the slightest. I'd actually determined to research it (the last research project I did was on the Englers...there are three graves in the graveyard off MLK all with the same death date, August 8, 1925. A fellow googler has a bit of a site about them as well)
I'm glad someone else stares at the curbs.
Katie
Tue, 07/31 11:22AM
Bless you for this. I'd assumed it was the manufacturer, but never actually tried looking into it until today. I've donated hundreds of dollars to the library and never even go down there....
My family is very proud of our history in Austin. I have some photos of if you'd like to add them to your site. I'm sure some family would be willing to share stories also.
There are about 5 iron "MAUFRAIS" stamps still in the family. I stamped one 3 years ago on Enfield Rd when the city poured new concrete and I'm just waiting for fresh concrete here in NYC to to leave omy mark.
Yesss....I used to wonder the same thing daily. I just couldnt believe how nothing ever came up in a Google search...until now. Great research. I can die a happy man.
TP
Trey
Fri, 01/11 05:12PM
Dad,
I saw this name repeatedly on the sidewalks around your mother's house as a boy. It is one of those strange memories that are permanently etched into place. I would walk along in the summer time drinking grape soda, looking at cracks in the sidewalk seeing the same name over and over again. It appears that this is some sort of subconscious icon for many Austin natives. It is impossible to see his name and not think of your mother's house and those endless summers as a boy at the center of the universe in Austin, Texas.
Alan
Alan
Sun, 01/20 12:11PM
I moved to Round Rock from KC, MO two years ago and am constantly being amazed at the abundance of helpful people here in Texas. We bought our home through Realty World; specifically, partners Jim Salmon-Realtor at www.HomesForTexasTeachers.com and Mary Pruett-Realtor at www.liveNaustin.com and they are truly the most helpful, knowledgeable, friendly realtors I have ever worked with! Having moved from NJ & OH, we have lived in CO, WA, MA, CA, MO & now TX; I know from which I speak! I am anxiously anticipating my first visit to the Austin History Center; many thanks for your insights!
Jim
Thu, 01/24 10:54AM
Great site! I want to do a similar one for my great grandfather Charles Johnson. He moved to Austin from Sweden in 1854, operated a lime kiln, and was a rock contractor. I wonder if Mr. Maufrais knew and/or worked with Charles Johnson and/or his children?
I've seen some sidewalks labled "Johnson and Miller" and thought it may have been one of my grand uncles, perhaps Gustav Johnson. I know there were stone masons in his family.
I'm also curious about Deep Eddy pool. Is that Maufrais concrete?
Thanks for your wonderful site; I'll peruse it some more.
Troy Johnson
Sun, 02/10 03:18PM
Great site! I want to do a similar one for my great grandfather Charles Johnson. He moved to Austin from Sweden in 1854, operated a lime kiln, and was a rock contractor. I wonder if Mr. Maufrais knew and/or worked with Charles Johnson and/or his children?
I've seen some sidewalks labled "Johnson and Miller" and thought it may have been one of my grand uncles, perhaps Gustav Johnson. I know there were stone masons in his family.
I'm also curious about Deep Eddy pool. Is that Maufrais concrete?
Thanks for your wonderful site; I'll peruse it some more.
Happy Days,
Troy Johnson
Troy Johnson
Sun, 02/10 03:18PM
Great site! I want to do a similar one for my great grandfather Charles Johnson. He moved to Austin from Sweden in 1854, operated a lime kiln, and was a rock contractor. I wonder if Mr. Maufrais knew and/or worked with Charles Johnson and/or his children?
I've seen some sidewalks labled "Johnson and Miller" and thought it may have been one of my grand uncles, perhaps Gustav Johnson. I know there were stone masons in his family.
I'm also curious about Deep Eddy pool. Is that Maufrais concrete?
Thanks for your wonderful site; I'll peruse it some more.
Happy Days,
Troy Johnson
Troy Johnson
Sun, 02/10 03:19PM
Sorry about this post im just trying to get ahold of Jennifer Maufrais please email me if u see this or know her, Thanks
Jason Ivicic
Fri, 05/16 12:00PM
Thank you for doing the research for me. I never would have gone that far and the "Maufrais" stamps on seemingly every sidewalk in Austin would have remained a mystery. Loved the article. Thanks!
Lauren
Fri, 03/20 12:13AM
There is a new location-based iPhone game called Gowalla. In this game there are a couple spots as part of a "trip" in the game that deal with Maufrais poured concrete (in this case, stairs).
I was interested in knowing more about the Maufrais company that poured the concrete around Austin and am excited to be armed with more behind this great legacy.
I live near Maufrais Street in Clarksville and I'm so happy read your page!
One little glitch on the original page; when I hit the highlighted word 'Clarksville,' it sends me to a sight about a town named Clarksville, not the neighborhood in Austin. Did you ever find out why the street was named Maufrais?
Thanks again for the great site!
Tamera
Fri, 04/09 09:05PM
Except for Maufrais, my great-granduncle, Julius Fredrich Johnson has his name marked in the Austin sidewalks. Julius Fredrich was the son of Charles Johnson who lived near Deep Eddy. Charles owned a limestone quarry and a lime kiln. Frequently, you'll see the name "Johnson - Miller" in the sidewalks. (I'm not sure who Miller is but it may be Tom Miller of the Tom Miller Dam?)Julius is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in the Johnson Family plot; I believe he passed in 1948.
Troy Johnson
Mon, 05/03 03:16PM
I just recently read that Maufrais built the concrete swimming pool at Deep Eddy
