Neill-Cochran House

The Neill-Cochran House is a Greek Revival mansion built in 1856 with symmetrical columns, detailed cornices, and a two-story front portico topped by six columns. The property also includes original outbuildings, including the slave quarters that remain visible today.

Washington Hill commissioned the construction of this house in 1855 using enslaved labor, though financial troubles prevented him from ever moving in. During the Civil War, Colonel George A. Custer converted it into a federal hospital for wounded soldiers.

The preserved slave quarters on the property stand as evidence of enslaved people's lives in this urban setting. These remaining structures and what they contain tell the story of those who lived and worked here.

The house can be visited Wednesday through Sunday and is normally explored through guided tours that cover both the main rooms and the preserved outbuildings. It helps to check ahead whether special tours of the slave quarters are scheduled, as these provide additional details about the lives of those who lived there.

The property was converted into a hospital by Colonel Custer, who later became famous at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, during the Civil War. This dual historical connection ties the local town story to larger national events.

Location: Austin

Inception: 1855

Architects: Abner Cook

Architectural style: Greek Revival architecture

Address: 2310 San Gabriel

Website: https://nchmuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 30.28771,-97.74806

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:06