Best Monuments to Visit in Austin

By Rachel Rosen


Austin monuments are steeped in a history and mystique that is both southern tinged and unique to Texas. Texas history is on one side proud and rugged, while on the other stately and luxurious. The numerous historic buildings and monuments in Austin tell the tale about a folk that braved and tamed the wasteland to transform Austin into the urban modern town that it is.

State Capitol

Distinguished in the Nation's Register of Historical Places in 1970, the Texas State Capitol is a beautiful domed building that's paying homage to the country's white house, except for that the State Capitol building is "sunset red" granite. The piece was finished in 1888 and was built in Renaissance Revival Style, based totally on 15th century Italian design. The structure is identified by symmetrical composition, round arches and rich elaborations. Outside walls are accented by baroque steel gates. In the 1990s, many restorations were performed to increase the size to accommodate visitors, making the Texas State Capitol the biggest state capital in terms of gross square footage, second biggest only to the state's capital. Interior restorations were completed to the tune of $98 million, and in 1997 the grounds were remodeled and revived at a cost of $8 million. Everyone can take a tour, visit the Capitol Complicated Visitors Center, Capitol Gift Shop and Texas State History Museum.

Governor's Mansion

Situated in Colorado Street in Austin, Texas, the Governor's Mansion is an awesome monument to tour and get a feel of the culture and history of the city with its slightly old-skool ambiance. The facility has served as a home to each governor who has served Texas since the nation's 5th. The Governor's Mansion was designed by the well-recognized designer Abner Cook during 1865 and is one of Austin's most classic and classy structures. The villa is well refurbished with pieces of furniture, for example Sam Houston's bed, and a bunch of paintings and antiques from the old days. The mansion was assembled with the utilisation of bricks and wood material. During your visit to the facility, keep a look out for holes in the railing where Governor James Hogg punched in tacks to prevent his kids from sliding and fall down it. The tour is open to the public daily which lasts for around 20 min per tour. The mansion is only open to visitors each Monday to Thursday with free admission.

Mount Bonnell

Located in the northern part of downtown Austin, Mount Bonnell is named after the journalist and soldier who fought during the Texan war for autonomy, William Bonnell. It is a great area to go to visit to gain an improved view over the entire city of Austin. The monument stands 750 feet tall and is accessible through 100 high steps with great picturesque perspectives of the town, the western hills and even the Colorado Stream. Public visits are authorized from 5am to 10pm daily and with no charge.

The Driskill Hotel

Designed in a Romanesque style with columns, archways and porches that look out onto the highways of downtown Austin, the Driskill is a four story hotel built in the 1880s by cattle baron Jesse Driskill. Guests of the Driskill Hotel have included the state legislature while the Texas State Capitol was being built, among others, some of that has been reported to never have left. Latest Driskill Hotel guests have reported many bizarre things goings on and many individuals, including staff, assume the hotel to be haunted. If hauntings are of interest, ask to remain in Room 525, the room of the suicide brides. Now the hotel is a beautifully run luxury hotel with great rooms, great dining at 1886 Cafe & Bakery and the 4-star Driskill Griddle with cook Jonathan Gelman. The Driskill even offers live entertainment nightly, usually offering urban country, soul, jazz and blues performers.

Texas State Cemetery

Though not classed as historical buildings in Austin, the Texas State Cemetery is a historical site in its own right. Visitors taking a tour through the graveyard will note the funeral place of many historic figures with scores of Confederate soldiers which make up much of Austin's valuable background.




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