Carrington-Covert House
1511 Colorado St., Austin, TXIn 1852, Leonidas Davis Carrington, a successful merchant from Columbus, Mississippi, arrived in Austin, He opened a merchandise store on Congress Avenue, and began to buy pieces of land in and around Austin. His most successful business ventures centered around land speculation, and for many years he bought property north and west of Austin, frequently for less than 1 cent per acre.
Within a few years, Carrington had become a very wealthy man, and in 1853, he began to make plans for an elegant house. On September 15th, he purchased a lot north of the Capitol for $1,000 from Captain James M.W, Hall. Records from his store show that he purchased building materials from 1853 to 1857. The date of completion is not known, but it must have been some time during those four years. Carrington built his home of white limestone which may have been quarried from Comal Bluff. The house was two stories high and had walls twenty inches thick. It included twelve principal rooms and two large halls, and the flooring in all the rooms appears to have been of wide pine boards.
On the fifth of May, 1870, Carrington sold the house and land to M.L. Hemphill of Bastrop. Later Mr. and Mrs. Frank M. Covert of Austin bought the house from Hemphill. The Coverts did considerable remodeling and by the early 1900s they had removed the fireplaces and staircase and made some frame additions to the rest of the house. On September 17, 1944, Covert sold the house for $18,500. Then, in 1968, a state agency bought the property and decided to demolish the house to make room for a modern building.
Bibliography
Parmelee, Deolece. The Carrington-Covert House in 19th Century Austin , monograph, Austin, 1968.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
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.
The Texas Rangers, a famous law enforcement agency, were first organized in 1835 to protect settlers from Native American attacks.
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.
Travis County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in 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.