Neill–Cochran House facts for kids
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Neill–Cochran House Museum
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The Neill–Cochran House Museum in 2007
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| Location | 2310 San Gabriel Austin, Texas, USA |
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| Built | 1855 |
| Architect | Abner Cook |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000768 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 25, 1970 |
The Neill–Cochran House Museum is a cool old house in north-central Austin, Texas. A famous builder named Abner Cook designed and built this house in 1855. It was like a big country estate back then, long before other homes were built around it. This two-story house is built in the Greek Revival style. It has big Doric columns and special railings that look like a "sheaf of wheat."
Contents
History of the House
Building and Early Uses
The house was built on a large piece of land for Washington and Mary Hill. However, they never actually lived in it.
In 1856, the house was rented to the Texas Institute for the Blind. This school is now known as the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. It was their first home until Abner Cook finished building their main campus across town.
Civil War and Important Visitors
Later, the house was rented by important people like Lt. Governor Fletcher Stockdale. It's also thought that former Provisional Governor Andrew J. Hamilton lived there.
At the end of the American Civil War, soldiers from the United States Army used the house as a hospital. General George Armstrong Custer was in Austin during the time of Reconstruction. He was stationed near the house and likely visited it.
The Neill and Cochran Families
In 1876, Colonel Andrew Neill bought the home. He was a veteran of the Confederate army. Neill lived there with his wife, Jennie Chapman Neill. After Colonel Neill passed away, Jennie rented the house to Judge Thomas Beauford Cochran in 1893.
Cochran liked the house so much that he bought it in 1895 for his family. He made the house bigger and added modern features.
The Museum Today
In 1958, the Cochran family sold the property. It was bought by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in The State of Texas. This group now runs the house as a historic museum.
The Neill–Cochran House Museum is a very important historical site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a Texas Historical Commission landmark.
A Computer Game About the House
In 2007, a company called White Rabbit Adventure Games made a computer game about the Neill–Cochran House. The game is called "Sterling's Gift." It tells a fictional story based on real diaries and memories. Players solve a 150-year-old mystery that involves George Custer's wife, Libbie. Money from the game's sales helps support the Neill–Cochran House Museum.
Gallery
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Neill–Cochran House Museum atrium
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Neill–Cochran House Museum bedroom
