McKinney Homestead

The McKinney Homestead is a two-story stone dwelling with three rooms on each floor and covered porches on both levels. Today you can walk the preserved ruins along a designated trail within the state park, seeing how the structure was built from local limestone.

Thomas F. McKinney built the residence between 1850 and 1852 using limestone quarried from Onion Creek and local cypress and cedar timber. The house remained occupied for nearly a century until fire destroyed it in the 1940s.

The homestead reflects how early settlers adapted to the Texas landscape by using local stone and wood for construction. Walking around the ruins, you see how families built permanent homes from what nature provided nearby.

The best way to see the ruins is to walk the Homestead Trail within McKinney Falls State Park, an easy-to-follow path through the wooded area. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven around the remains, and bring water especially during hot summer months.

Archaeological investigations discovered that families continuously lived at this location for almost a century, making it more than just an old building but a home. The fire that ended this occupation happened in the 1940s, leaving behind stone walls that still stand today.

Location: Texas

Location: Travis County

Address: SW of Austin between TX 71 and U.S. 183

GPS coordinates: 30.18972,-97.72056

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:41