The Austin House

The Austin House. . , The Austin House was built in Ocean Springs during the 1850s by prominent New Orleans physician Dr. William Glover Austin. One of the oldest houses in Ocean Springs, the original floor plan follows the arrangement typical of its era and style with a wide central corridor flanked by two rooms on either side. The style was practical in facilitating the maximum flow of cooling breezes throughout. , Located so near the Gulf of Mexico, the Austin House experienced severe structural damage during Hurricane Katrina in September 2005, and faced possible demolition due to its condition. The historic structure was saved when it was purchased and is in the process of an extensive restoration. , Dr. Austin practiced medicine for more than 40 years, and was considered an authority on epidemic diseases, in particular for treatment of yellow fever. He and his wife, the former Martha E. Porter, resided in New Orleans. and also kept a residence in Ocean Springs. In the 1840s they acquired property to the east and west of Martin Avenue. Land deed records indicate that in 1910 the Austin home was moved to 416 Martin Avenue from its prior location on the grounds of "Many Oaks" on Front Beach Drive. , Dr. Austin and his-mother-in-law Henrietta Porter are believed by historians to be the initiators of the historic Ocean Springs Hotel on Jackson Avenue. Likely established in the early 1850s, the Ocean Springs Hotel was considered to be perhaps the finest of the various resort spas along the Gulf Coast, known for its spring fed, medicinal waters. The hotel was lost to fire in May 1905. It is believed that Dr. Austin operated a health sanitarium in the Indian Springs area along Old Fort Bayou. , This informational sign is part of a community project led by the Historic Ocean Springs Association, and is made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area. , We thank the City of Ocean Springs for their support of this project.