Woodlawn

A grand Greek Revival mansion. That’s Woodlawn for you. Right here in Austin, Texas, stands Woodlawn, a stately mansion with a past as rich as a Texas oil field. Built in 1853, this beauty wasn’t just a home. It housed two Texas governors and even hosted legends like Sam Houston and General George Custer. Imagine their conversations echoing within these walls! It was originally commissioned by James Shaw, the Texas State Comptroller at the time. He had it built for himself and his fiancée. Sadly, their love story was short-lived, and they never got their happily ever after in this grand house. Shaw ended up selling it in 1857 to Governor Elisha M. Pease and his wife, Lucadia. The Pease family truly made Woodlawn their own, even giving the estate its current name. They resided here for generations, leaving an indelible mark on the property and its surrounding neighborhood. Woodlawn continued to be a place of political significance when in 1957, it became the home of outgoing Governor Allan Shivers. He and his wife resided here until their deaths. The University of Texas eventually took ownership of Woodlawn. It was even considered as a potential new residence for the Texas Governor! Today, this grand dame stands as a proud reminder of Texas history. It’s a whisper of a bygone era, its walls whispering tales of governors, generals, and the passage of time.