 Its site, which overlooks one of four public squares platted in Austin in 1839, was obtained from the Texas Legislature in 1913 for construction of a public library.The Renaissance Revival structure, completed in 1933, was designed by local architect J. Roy White, working for the architectural firm of Austin native Hugo Kuehne, founding dean of the University of Texas School of Architecture.The building also contains work by several Austin craftsmen, including ironworker Fortunat Wiegl, wood-carver Peter Mansbendel, and fresco artist Harold "Bubi" Jessen.