General Land Office Building (Austin, Texas) facts for kids
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General Land Office Building
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The Old Land Office Building
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 Location in Texas
Location in the United States
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| Location | 108 East 11th Street Austin, Texas |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1857 |
| Architect | Christoph Conrad Stremme |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000769 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 25, 1970 |
The General Land Office Building in Austin, Texas is a very old and important state government building. It was finished in 1857. This makes it the oldest state office building still standing in Austin. It was also the first building designed by an architect who went to a university, Christoph Conrad Stremme from Germany.
The building looks like a medieval castle. It has a special style called Rundbogenstil, which means "rounded arch." You can see these rounded arches around the windows and doors. It also has castle-like walls on top, called parapets, which are a bit like Norman style. The outside walls are made of limestone that was smoothed over with stucco to look like big stone blocks.
Contents
History of the Building
Early Days as the Land Office
The General Land Office Building is located right next to the Texas State Capitol grounds. For 60 years, until 1917, this building was where the state's land office worked. This office kept records of all the land in Texas.
A famous writer, William Sidney Porter, also known as O. Henry, worked here. He was an employee from 1887 to 1891. Some of his stories, like "Bexar Script No. 2692," were even set in this very building!
Museums and Restoration
After the land office moved out in 1917, the building became home to museums. From 1919 to 1988, the second floor housed a museum run by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. This group works to preserve the history of Texas. The first floor had a museum run by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, another historical group.
In the mid-1900s, the building was changed a bit. Then, from 1989 to 1992, it was carefully restored. Workers made the inside and outside look just like it did in the late 1800s.
What It Is Today
Today, the General Land Office Building is known as the Capitol Visitors Center. It's a great place to learn about the Texas State Capitol and the history of Texas. You can explore exhibits and take tours.
The building also has a Texas Department of Transportation Travel Center. Here, you can get free maps and information about fun places to visit all over Texas.
Recognized Texas Landmark
The General Land Office Building is very important historically. It was named a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1962. This means it's a special place recognized for its historical value in Texas. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 25, 1970. This is a list of places across the United States that are important to history.
