Texas Governors Mansion

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

The Texas Governors Mansion is the most historic home in all of Texas. It sits on a beautifully landscaped city block in Austin, across the street from the capital building. Built in 1854 and designed by the prominent architect Abner Cook, it has been the official home of every governor since 1856. Making it the the fourth oldest governors mansion in the United States that has been continuously occupied (by a governor).
Even though Texas was admitted into the Union in 1845, the Texas Legislature didn't appropriate the $14,500 for construction of a "suitable residence" for the Governor until 1854.
On June 8, 2008, during a massive renovation, someone threw a Molotov cocktail at the mansion, igniting an arson fire that gutted much of the mansion.
After the four-alarm fire, the next legislature allocated $22 million for the restoration of the Governor's Mansion. Half of that amount came from the American recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Governor Rick Perry and his wife Anita moved back ito the Governor's Mansion on July 18, 2012.


Visitors:
Currently closed to the public.  Tours expected to resume in the near future.  512-463-0063.

Tour Length:
30min-1hr

Admission:
Free

Parking:
Parking garage 1201 San Jacinto located between Trinity and San Jacinto Streets at 12th and 13th streets. Parking is free for the first two hours and $1.00 for each half hour thereafter (maximum daily charge: $8.00)

Official Website:
Texas Governors Mansion

Location:
1010 Colorado St. Austin, TX


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