Austin, Texas story
The Pillars of the Governor's Mansion
Imagine a house that has welcomed every single Texas governor since the mid-nineteenth century. Built in 1854, the Texas Governor’s Mansion is the oldest continuously inhabited ho…
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Imagine a house that has welcomed every single Texas governor since the mid-nineteenth century. Built in 1854, the Texas Governor’s Mansion is the oldest continuously inhabited house in the entire state of Texas. Master builder Abner Cook designed this grand Greek Revival residence, which has been the official home of the state's chief executives since 1856.
It is the fourth oldest continuously occupied governor's residence in the United States and the oldest west of the Mississippi River. The mansion’s historic walls faced their greatest test on June eighth, 2008, when a devastating four-alarm fire, sparked by a Molotov cocktail, nearly destroyed the home during renovations. Thankfully, a massive restoration was completed in 2012, preserving its historic structure.
As you walk, think of the decades of political history, triumphs, and trials that have unfolded behind those iconic columns.
Updated June 2026