Porter, William Sidney, House
a.k.a. O. Henry House
409 E. 5th S., Austin, TXPorter was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on September 11, 1862, and came to Texas in 1882. In 1884, at the age of twenty-two, he settled in Austin. During this period he held various jobs including working in a drug store and becoming a real estate agent. From 1887 to 1891, he worked as a draftsman in the General Land Office, located on the Capitol grounds. From 1891 until 1894, he worked as a bank teller in the First National Bank (then located at 6th and Congress streets, in Austin.)
On July 5, 1887, Porter married Athol Estes. After living in various houses, the Porter family moved in 1893 to the residence which is now called the O. Henry Museum. At this time, the structure was located at 308 E. Fourth Street, a few blocks from its present location. The Porter family lived in the house for two years. It was during this period (1894) that Porter resigned his position in the bank to give all his time to editing a humorous weekly. The Rolling Stone. When the venture failed in 1895, Porter moved to Houston, where he wrote for the Houston Daily Post.
In 1896 Porter was summoned to Austin to stand trail for the alleged embezzlement of funds from the First National Bank, where he had been employed as a teller. Rather than obeying the summons. Porter fled to New Orleans and then to Honduras. Returning to Austin in 1897 to visit his sick wife. Porter was arrested and in March, 1898, was sentenced to the federal penitentiary at Columbus, Ohio.
While in prison. Porter wrote under various pseudonyms. Eventually, the name, "Q. Henry", displaced all the others. In 1902, after his release from prison, he went to New York to continue his writing. Among Porter's most famous stories are "The Gift of the Magi" and "The Ransom of Red Chief."
Bibliography
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
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 state of Texas was once an independent country known as the Republic of Texas. It gained independence from Mexico in 1836 and was a separate nation until it was annexed by the United States in 1845.
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.