National Register Listing

1918 State Office Building and 1933 State Highway Building

a.k.a. State Land Office Building:TEA Building;James Earl Rudder Bu

1019 Brazos and 125 E. 11th Sts., Austin, TX

These buildings have also served as the first and second headquarters of the Texas Highway Department. The state office building (1918) and state highway building (1933) were both constructed to satisfy the demand for state office space, as the Texas government grew to meet challenges of the 20th century. It was also the first skyscraper built in Texas for use as a state government office building.

The State Office Building (1918) and State Highway Building (1933) were both constructed to satisfy the demand for state office space, as the Texas government grew to meet challenges of the 20th century. Though built 15 years apart, they are linked physically (occupying adjacent lots on East 11* Street, directly across the street from the State Capitol grounds), and by function (serving as office buildings for an expanding state government). Although the architectural styles of each building seem unconnected by time period or effect (the State Office Building is Classical Revival, while the State Highway Building is Art Deco), they are both the result of a shared design aesthetic which dictated rational planning, high ornamentation, and grand presentation. These buildings have also served as the first and second headquarters of the Texas Highway Department.

J.T. Robison, Commissioner of the General Land Office, ordered the name "State Office Building" placed on the building's cornerstone, in recognition of the various state agencies who would share its space. Despite this gesture, the building was most often referred to as the "New Land Office Building," and later as the "T.E.A. Building," when occupied by the Texas Education Association from 1960 to 1986. The building was renamed "James E. Rudder State Office Building," in 1988 after former Land Commissioner and Texas A&M University President James Earl Rudder (1910-1970). The fifth headquarters for the General Land Office, the 1918 State Office Building was the first state office building built outside the formal Capitol grounds, and the first modern, steel-framed building in the Capitol Complex.

The State Highway Building (renamed the "DeWitt C. Greer Building" in 1981 for a retiring State Highway Engineer and Texas Transportation Commissioner member) was among the first Art Deco buildings in Austin, and remains one of the city's premier examples of that style. The State Highway Building represents one of the first forays into "modern" architecture in the city, which had previously exhibited predominately Victorian-era public and commercial buildings. It was also the first skyscraper built in Texas for use as a state government office building.

The State Office Building is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A, in the area of Government, at the state level of significance, and Criterion C, in the area of Architecture, at the state level of significance, as an excellent example of a Classical Revival office building designed by Texas master architect Atlee B. Ayres. The State Highway Building meets Criterion A, in the area of Government, at the state level of significance, and Criterion C, in the Area of Architecture, at the state level of significance, as an excellent example of Art Deco design by the noted Texas architecture firms Adams & Adams, and Lang & Witchell. Both buildings represent the growth of an activist Texas government in the early 20th century.
Bibliography
Aharonian, Christine. "State Highway Building." National Register of Historic Places nomination. May 1993. Unpublished manuscript. On file at the Architecmre Library, Special Collections: Student Projects, University of Texas at Austin.

Aharonian, Christine. "State Highway Building." Stmcmre narrative, 1993. Unpublished manuscript. On file at the Architecture Library, Special Collections: Student Projects, University of Texas at Austin.

"Atlee B. and Robert M. Ayres: Architects, San Antonio." Paper prepared in conjunction with an exhibition of architecmral drawings at Battle Hall, University of Texas at Austin, 1979. Copy in the Architects' File, Architecmral Drawings Collection, General Libraries, University of Texas at Austin.

Bell, Wayne, and Roxarme Williamson. Old Land Office Building. National Register of Historic Places nomination. Austin: 1970.

Elswick, Brian Danial. "Texas General Land Office: A Study and Reuse Proposal." Master's thesis. University of Texas at Austin, 1986.
Local significance of the building:
Politics/government; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
The first oil well in the United States was drilled in Texas in 1859. The discovery of oil transformed the economy of the state and helped to make Texas one of the wealthiest states in the nation.
Texas random facts
Travis County, Texas, is located in the central part of the state and encompasses the capital city of Austin. The county has a rich history that spans centuries, beginning with the indigenous Native American tribes who inhabited the area long before European settlement.

European exploration of the region began in the 17th century when Spanish explorers ventured into what is now Travis County. However, it was not until the early 19th century that permanent settlements were established. In 1835, the area became part of the Republic of Texas after gaining independence from Mexico, and the county was officially created in 1840.

Travis County was named after William Barret Travis, a Texas Revolution hero who commanded the Texan forces during the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. Throughout the 19th century, the county experienced significant growth and development, driven by factors such as the arrival of immigrants, the expansion of the railroad, and the establishment of institutions like the University of Texas at Austin in 1883.

During the 20th century, Travis County continued to evolve and modernize. Austin, the county seat and state capital, grew into a vibrant and culturally diverse city, known for its live music scene, technological innovations, and progressive policies. The county became a center for government, education, and business, attracting a wide range of industries and residents.

Today, Travis County is one of the most populous and economically vibrant counties in Texas. It is home to a diverse population and a wide range of cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities. The county's history, coupled with its present-day dynamism, contributes to its unique character and makes it a significant region in the Lone Star State.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Travis County, Texas.

  • Pre-19th Century: The area that would become Travis County was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Tonkawa and Lipan Apache.

  • 1691: Spanish explorers, including Domingo Terán de los Ríos and Alonso de León, explored the region.

  • 1835: Texas Revolution against Mexico begins, and the area becomes part of the Republic of Texas.

  • 1839: Waterloo, a small village settled near the Colorado River, is selected as the site for the new capital of the Republic of Texas.

  • 1840: Travis County is officially established and named after William Barret Travis, a hero of the Texas Revolution.

  • 1842: The capital is officially named Austin after Stephen F. Austin, "The Father of Texas."

  • 1871: The Houston and Texas Central Railway reaches Austin, facilitating transportation and spurring growth.

  • 1883: The University of Texas at Austin is founded.

  • 1891: The Texas State Capitol building, an iconic landmark, is completed.

  • 1930s-1940s: The construction of dams, including Mansfield Dam and Tom Miller Dam, on the Colorado River provides flood control and creates Lake Travis and Lake Austin, respectively.

  • 1970s-1990s: Austin experiences significant growth and becomes known for its live music scene, technology industry, and progressive culture.

  • 2000s-Present: Travis County continues to grow in population and economic significance, with Austin being recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.