Built in 1891 during the city's iron production boom, Badu House originally housed the First National Bank of Llano. In 1898, French native N.J. "Professor" Badu, a noted local mineralogist, purchased it for use as a residence. Designed by the Austin firm of Larramour and Watson, it features Renaissance Revival detailing and a distinctive band of native granite in a checkerboard pattern. Badu's descendants lived here for many years.