What is the Littlefield House?

The Littlefield House is a historic Victorian-style home located in Austin, Texas, on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. Built in the 1890s for Civil War veteran and cattle baron George Littlefield, it is considered the oldest building on the university's main campus.

Can you go inside the Littlefield House?

No, the house is closed and inaccessible to the general public. Today, the ground floor is used for university functions, while the upstairs serves as office space for the Office of University Events.

Is there anything unique to see on the property's grounds?

Yes, there is an impressive, 57-foot-tall Deodar Cedar (or Himalayan Cedar) standing on the southwest side of the house. George Littlefield originally had this tree imported from the Himalayas and planted on the property.

Is the Littlefield House haunted?

According to local legend, the house is rumored to be haunted. Witnesses have reported hearing footsteps, seeing objects inexplicably move, and spotting faces peering out of the windows.

What should I check before going?

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

Littlefield House in Austin

Littlefield House

Located on the University of Texas at Austin campus, the historic 1893 Littlefield House is a striking red-brown Victorian home. As the campus's oldest building, it features eclectic architecture and a massive Himalayan Deodar Cedar.

Open prototype

Official site

Get directions

What to know

Built in 1893 at the corner of Whitis Avenue and West 24th Street, the Littlefield House is a historic gem situated on the edge of the original Forty Acres at the University of Texas at Austin. This 16,135-square-foot, four-story residence was designed by San Antonio architect James Wahrenberger for Civil War veteran, cattle baron, and mayor George Washington Littlefield and his wife, Alice. Constructed at a cost of $50,000, it stands today as the oldest building on the university's main campus. The house is widely celebrated as the best surviving example of eclectic Victorian design in Austin. Its red-brown exterior is complemented by a carriage house and a meticulously restored roof. In 1970, the property's architectural and historical significance was officially recognized when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Upon her death in 1935, Alice Littlefield left the home and carriage house to the university. Over the subsequent decades, the university adapted the building for various functions. During World War War II, the attic was utilized as a firing range, and the building later housed the university's Music Department. Today, the ground floor serves university functions, while the upper levels provide office space for the Office of University Events. While the interior is closed to the public, visitors can appreciate its exterior features, including a towering 57-foot-tall Deodar Cedar. George Littlefield imported this majestic "Himalayan Cedar" from the Himalayas and planted it on the southwest side of the house. The home also carries a spooky reputation; local legends claim the house is haunted, with witnesses reporting phantom footsteps, self-moving objects, and mysterious faces peering from the windows.

Visitor tips

Please note that the interior of the house is closed to the public and reserved for university offices and events.
Be sure to walk to the southwest side of the building to view the historic 57-foot-tall Deodar Cedar.
Keep an eye on the upper-story windows for a glimpse of the home's rumored ghostly inhabitants.

Nearby context

Situated at the corner of Whitis Avenue and West 24th Street, the Littlefield House sits right on the edge of the original "Forty Acres" of the University of Texas at Austin campus. This central location makes it an easy, scenic detour for anyone exploring the campus's historic core, offering a stark architectural contrast to the surrounding modern university buildings.