Carrington-Covert House

The Carrington-Covert House is a two-story residential structure built from cut limestone blocks, located on Colorado Street in downtown Austin, with a symmetrical front and classical architectural details. The exterior displays characteristics typical of Greek Revival style with carefully balanced proportions.

Merchant Leonidas Carrington commissioned architect John Brandon to build this residence in 1856, making it one of Austin's rare structures from before the Civil War. The building survived the following decades as the city transformed around it.

The building serves as home to offices of the Texas Historical Commission, an organization dedicated to preserving Texas heritage. Staff members work here daily on documentation and preservation efforts that benefit the entire state.

The building sits adjacent to the Texas Supreme Court Building and Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in the heart of downtown. Visitors can easily explore it on foot along with other historic sites and museums in the area.

From 1893 to 1898, the building functioned as the Texas Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital under management by a local women's charity group. This transformation shows how historic homes adapted their purpose over time.