Best Little Historic House in Texas

O. Henry Museum

William Sydney Porter, aka O. Henry, aka "the Master of the Short Story" and the author of "The Gift of the Magi" – one of the most famous short stories ever – lived in Austin for more than 13 years. From 1893 to 1895 he lived in a homey little cottage downtown with his wife and daughter. The place has been lovingly restored and now sits, minding its own business, amid massive skyscraper construction, a great reminder of Austin's simpler time. A tour of the house yields some great information not only about the man, but also about the era in which he lived. The recently discovered Susannah Dickinson house (previously hidden inside a barbecue joint that was being knocked down to make way for construction) has been moved onto the property. Watch for this home of the only adult survivor of the Alamo to open soon for the double-whammy historical bonanza.

O. Henry Museum
409 E. Fifth, 512/472-1903
www.austintexas.gov/department/o-henry-museum