O. Henry Hall, Austin

O. Henry Hall is situated in the heart of Downtown Austin within the Sixth Street Historic District. Originally known as the U.S. Post Office and Federal Building, it was completed in 1879 under the architectural guidance of James G. Hill and partly supervised by Abner Cook.

The building's design drew inspiration from Italian Renaissance palaces, such as the Roman Villa Borghese, and later architectural styles popularized by the Ecole des Beaux Arts. This design employed simplified shapes and forms.

From its completion until 1936, O. Henry Hall was the meeting place for the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. It gained notable historical significance in February 1898, when William Sidney Porter, later known as the famous author O. Henry, was tried and convicted of embezzlement there.

In 1968, the University of Texas System acquired the building and renamed it in honor of O. Henry, who had lived nearby in what is now the O. Henry House. This move not only paid tribute to the author but also marked the beginning of a new era for the building. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, further cementing its historical importance.

For many years, O. Henry Hall served as the administrative headquarters of the University of Texas System. However, in 2015, the Texas State University System (TSUS) purchased the building, with the UT System continuing to use it as their headquarters until the completion of their new headquarters in 2017.

Today, O. Henry Hall continues to be a vital part of Austin's architectural and cultural landscape, serving as the administrative headquarters of the TSUS and standing as a testament to the city's rich historical heritage.