Downtown Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of Temporary Texas State Capitol of 1880’s
Built, 1882-1883, to replace the previous Capitol, which had burned in 1881. Until the building was completed, the orphaned Texas government conducted business in the county courthouse and jail across Congress avenue.
The three-story brick building – third Texas Capitol in Austin – was used five years. During this time it witnessed the passage of strong legislation to aid education and to halt fence-cutting, which, in 1883, had exploded into a range war. Governors John Ireland (1883-1887) and Sul Ross (1887-1891) both served in this building.
In 1883, the University of Texas held classes here for its 218 students until campus facilities were completed. On another occasion, cattle baron Charles Goodnight loaded $100,000 in cash in a wheel barrow and had it hauled to the Capitol to force settlement of a land dispute, but officials refused his offer.
After the present Capitol was finished, 1888, this structure was used as home of Austin High School. Studios for music teachers, and for various offices. When it burned, Sept, 30, 1899, curious spectators sat on the fence around the new Capitol to watch volunteer firemen, hampered by low water pressure fight the blaze. The old building was razed soon after and the bricks were used in structures throughout Austin.
Erected 1967 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 17408.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Notable Places. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 1898.
Location. 30° 16.34′ N, 97° 44.49′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East 11th Street and Congress Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Austin TX 78701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Governor Edmund Jackson Davis (a few steps from this marker); First Classes of the University of Texas Law School (a few steps from this marker); Henry Smith (a few steps from this marker); Old Bakery (within shouting distance of this marker); African Americans in the Texas Revolution (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor Elisha Marshall Pease (within shouting distance of this marker); The Woman Suffrage Movement in Texas (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor Andrew Jackson Hamilton (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2010, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,414 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2022, by Joe Lotz of Denton, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on January 23, 2010, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. 2. submitted on August 24, 2014, by Michael Heinich of Austin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.