- Governor's Mansion, 1010 Colorado (1855-56) Greek Revival style with Ionic capitals. Home to all Texas governors since 1856. Nation's fourth oldest mansion still in use as governor's residence. Destroyed by fire in June of 2008.
- German Free School, 507 E. 10th St. (1857) The German Free School was built in 1857 by German immigrants to Texas and served as the first chartered school in Austin.. It is now home to the German-Texan Heritage Society, featuring German festivals, language classes, speaker series, research library and weekly 'Stammtisch' gatherings. Official tours of the building are offered Thursdays from noon to 4:00 pm.
- St. David's Church, 304 East 7th (1854) Originally simple Gothic Revival in limestone rubble. Remodeled in 1870 to current configuration. Some windows are Tiffany creations. One of oldest Episcopal churches west of the Mississippi. Allegedly, funds were donated by gamblers for the original building. (photo above courtesy of rickpatrickphotography.com)
- Symphony Square, 1101 Red River (1871) Symphony Square is the headquarters of the Austin Symphony, the city's oldest performing arts group. Located at Red River and 11th Streets, Symphony Square is a complex of four historic limestone buildings and a 350-seat amphitheater. The Jeremiah Hamilton Building is said to be one of only three remaining stone triangular buildings in Texas and was built in 1871. Other buildings that make up the complex are the Michael Doyle House, a simple stone cottage, Hardeman House which is home to Cafe Serranos Mexican food restaurant, and the New Orleans Club Mercantile used by Cafe Serranos. Children's Day performances are each Wednesday morning in June and July with music and entertainment geared to young children.
- Littlefield Building, 601 Congress (1910) Civil War hero George Washington Littlefield built this ornate and modern structure. He later added another floor when a neighboring building also reached 8 stories. It was, for a time, the tallest building between New Orleans and San Francisco.
- St. Mary's Cathedral, 203 East 10th (1874) Rusticated limestone Gothic. Designed by noted Texas architect, Nicholas Clayton. Built in the shape of a Latin cross with magnificent rose window above the massive Gothic doorway. German and French stained glass windows were added in the 1890's.
- Old General Land Office Building, East 11th and Brazos (1857) Norman style designed by German architect, Conrad Stremme. William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) worked as a draftsman here in the late 1880's. Formerly housed state deeds, patents, maps, etc. Now serves as Capitol Visitors Center and gift shop.
Historic Downtown Austin
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