Old Land Office Building
108 E. 11th St., Austin, TXThe first Land Office was built on the north-west corner of the capitol grounds. Almost before it was finished, however, the Legislature decided it was inadequate. It was not fire-proof, and many officials feared the loss of valuable state papers. In 1855, the Texas Sixth Legislature appropriated $40,000 for the building of a new Land Office. The contract went to William Baker and Q. Nichols for $39,000, and Conrad C. Stremme, draftsman, was hired as architect.
Stremme had an impressive architectural career. Before he immigrated to Texas in 1849, he had served as a member of the Royal Hanoverian Commission of Public Buildings. He was a member of the Society for the Advancement of Industry, and he served as a professor of architecture at Dorpat (present-day Tartu). He received a Russian order and title of hereditary nobleman for outstanding work in architecture, and he was made a court councilor to Russian Emperor Nicholas I. In 1849, Stremme came to Texas and joined Lieutenant N. Michler's exploration party in the Rio Grande area. In 1855, he became a draftsman with the General Land Office, and by 1857, he had completed the new land office.
Stremme designed a three-story building which was fire-proof and large enough to hold all the documents pertaining to Texas lands. The style of the building was German-Romanesque; its construction mass-masonry. External walls were 2.5 feet thick rough rubble stone masonry. Internal walls were two feet thick, of stone and brick masonry.
William Sidney Porter, popularly known as 0. Henry, worked in the hard Office as a draftsman from 1887-1891. The scene of his short story, "Bexar Scrip No. 2692," is set in the building. In 1915, the state made plans to construct a new Land Office, and a year later the thirty-fifth Legislature appropriated $10,000 for the renovation of the old building. In 1932, the building was re-roofed and the outside walls stuccoed, Latest renovations include landscaping and the use of the first two floors for a museum of Texas history.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1964.
Bibliography
Barkley, Mary Starr. History of Austin and Travis County. Austin, 1957.
Webb, Walter Prescott. Handbook of Texas. Austin, 1952.
Williamson, Roxanne. Victorian Architecture in Austin. (Austin, Masters Thesis, 1967), copyright copies in Library of Congress.
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.
In the late 19th century, Texas became known for its cattle drives, in which cowboys would move herds of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. The cattle drives were dangerous and difficult work, but they played a key role in the development of the American cattle industry.
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 condensed summary of the historical journey 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.