What is Brush Square and what is its history?

Brush Square is one of Austin's original downtown squares, conceived in Edwin Waller's 1839 plan and developed into a park in 1913. It is one of only three remaining original civic squares from that plan and was named a Lone Star Legacy Park in 2024.

How much does it cost to visit the O. Henry Museum at Brush Square, and what are its hours?

Admission to the O. Henry Museum is free. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Brush Square in Austin

Brush Square

Discover Brush Square, one of Austin's original 1839 public squares. Today, this historic park is home to a collection of preserved heritage buildings, including the O. Henry Museum and the Susanna Dickinson Museum.

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What historic buildings and museums can I find at Brush Square?

The square is home to three historic buildings: the O. Henry Museum (housed in an 1888 Queen Anne-style cottage), the Susanna Dickinson Museum (located in an 1869 home), and Central Fire Station #1 (also known as the Austin Fire Museum). Collectively, the O. Henry and Susanna Dickinson museums are known as the Brush Square Museums.

What to know

Brush Square holds a distinguished place in Austin's history as one of the city's original public spaces. Conceived in Edwin Waller’s 1839 Downtown Austin Plan, it was one of four civic blocks reserved as public squares, of which only three remain today: Brush, Republic, and Wooldridge. Originally platted in 1839, Brush Square was officially developed into a park in 1913. Highlighting its enduring historical value, the Texas Recreation and Park Society named it a Lone Star Legacy Park in 2024. Today, the square serves as a unique cultural hub, housing three relocated historic buildings: the O. Henry Museum, the Susanna Dickinson Museum, and Central Fire Station #1. Collectively, the O. Henry and Susanna Dickinson Museums are known as the Brush Square Museums. The O. Henry Museum is set inside an 1888 Queen Anne-style cottage that was once the home of writer William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) and Athol Estes Porter. The City of Austin accepted responsibility for relocating and restoring this cottage in 1934, saving it from dereliction. The museum has been listed on the National Historic Register since 1974 and was designated a Library of Congress Literary Landmark in 1999. Adjacent to the writer's cottage is the 1869 home of Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig. This historic structure was saved, relocated to the square, and deeded to the City of Austin in 2003. To reflect this concentration of heritage sites, the local support organization rebranded itself as the Brush Square Museums Foundation in 2015. To ensure the park remains a safe and vibrant public space, the City of Austin adopted the Brush Square Master Plan on March 28, 2019. Phase 1 of this plan targets safety and comfort improvements, including additional street and park lighting, increased tree coverage, repositioned parking spaces, and a new water feature.

Visitor tips

Plan your visit between Wednesday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. to tour the historic O. Henry Museum.
Take advantage of free admission to explore the O. Henry Museum's exhibits.
Look out for safety and comfort improvements from the Master Plan, including new lighting and a water feature.

Nearby context

Located at 409 East 5th Street, Brush Square sits in the heart of downtown Austin, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the city's historic core. The square is part of a walking tour of Austin's original public squares, offering visitors a peaceful contrast to the bustling surrounding streets. Just steps away, you can transition from the quiet historical exhibits of the Susanna Dickinson Museum and the O. Henry Museum to the vibrant local music scene, with the famous Antone's exterior and marquee located nearby.

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