Downtown Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Capitol of 1852-53
Photographed By James Hulse, August 30, 2022
1. Capitol of 1852-53 Marker
Inscription.
Capitol of 1852-53. . Constructed in 1852-53 at an approximate cost of $150,000, this three-story limestone structure was the second Capitol in Austin, but the first statehouse to be built on Capitol Square. Situated within the 56-square-block townsite surveyed by Edwin Waller in 1839, Capitol Square was linked to the Colorado River by Congress Avenue. Located directly south of the current site of the Texas Capitol, the Greek-Revival-style building measured 140 feet by 90 feet. Master builder Abner Cook supplied the interior woodwork for the structure. The 1850s Capitol was completely destroyed by fire in November 1881. An investigating committee concluded that the fire resulted from a faulty stove pipe connection.
Constructed in 1852-53 at an approximate cost of $150,000, this three-story limestone structure was the second Capitol in Austin, but the first statehouse to be built on Capitol Square. Situated within the 56-square-block townsite surveyed by Edwin Waller in 1839, Capitol Square was linked to the Colorado River by Congress Avenue. Located directly south of the current site of the Texas Capitol, the Greek-Revival-style building measured 140 feet by 90 feet. Master builder Abner Cook supplied the interior woodwork for the structure. The 1850s Capitol was completely destroyed by fire in November 1881. An investigating committee concluded that the fire resulted from a faulty stove pipe connection.
Erected by State of Texas.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1881.
Location. 30° 16.407′ N, 97° 44.446′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Congress Avenue and East 11th Street. The marker is located on the southeastern section of the Texas Capital grounds along the front entrance walkway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin TX 78701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of
The current Texas State Capitol is the third building to serve that purpose. The first was a wooden structure that had served as the national capitol of the Texas Republic and continued as the seat of government upon Texas' admission to the Union. The second Texas capitol was built in 1853, on the same site as the present capitol in Austin; it was destroyed by fire in 1881, but plans had already been made to replace it with a new, much larger structure.
(Submitted on September 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, August 30, 2022
2. Capitol of 1852-53 Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, August 30, 2022
3. The Capitol of 1852-53 Marker with the Texas State Capitol in the background
Public Domain
4. Texas State Capitol
The second capitol of the State of Texas, burned 1881
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
