O. Henry Hall, Austin, Texas
historical marker
O. Henry Hall, located in Austin, Travis County, Texas, is a historical landmark. It originally opened in 1881 as the U.S. Post Office and Federal Building, serving as a federal courthouse and post office. Designed by James G. Hill, its Renaissance Revival architecture is considered nationally significant. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson deeded the building to The University of Texas System. After restoration, it was renamed O. Henry Hall in 1971. This name honors William Sydney Porter, the short story writer known as O. Henry, who lived in Austin. Notably, Porter was tried and convicted of embezzlement in this very building's courtroom in February 1898. A historical marker was erected here in 1974 by the Texas Historical Commission. O. Henry Hall uniquely connects federal architecture with a significant chapter in American literary and judicial history.