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General Land Office Review

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General Land Office

Address: 112 E. 11th St., at Brazos St., Downtown & the Capitol Area, Austin, TX | Map It
Phone: 512/305-8400 visitor center

Category: Government Buildings
Location: Downtown and Capitol Area

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Fodor's Review:

The only surviving government building from Austin's first 30 years owes its Gothic style to its German-born and -trained architect, Conrad Stremme. This 2½-story structure of stuccoed stone and brick was opened for business in the spring of 1858 as the first home of the Land Office. Writer O. Henry worked as a draftsman here and used the building as the setting for two of his short stories. In 1989 the legislature approved a $4.5 million renovation project to restore the building to its 1890s appearance. The structure now houses the Capitol Visitors Center and a gift shop, and has space on the second floor for traveling exhibits.

Cost: Free
Open: Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. noon-5

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