Neill-Cochran House
Encyclopedia
The Neill-Cochran House Museum is a historic home in north-central Austin, Texas
, a few blocks west of the University of Texas. It was built in 1855 as a suburban estate many years before the surrounding area was settled by other homes and businesses. The two-story Greek Revival home was designed and constructed by noted master builder Abner Cook
and features prominent Doric
columns and Mr. Cook's signature "sheaf of wheat" balusters.
, to serve as its first home until Abner Cook finished the school's campus across town.
Subsequently, the House was leased by Lt. Governor Fletcher Stockdale
and, it is believed, former Provisional Governor Andrew J. Hamilton
. At the end of the Civil War
, Federal troops converted the House into a hospital. General George Armstrong Custer
was stationed in Austin during Reconstruction, occupying the blind school and, no doubt, visit the Neill-Cochran House.
In 1876, the home was sold to Colonel Andrew Neill, a Confederate veteran. Neill lived there with his wife Jennie Chapman Neill, who stayed on after Neill's death and in 1893 rented the home to Judge Thomas Beauford Cochran.
Cochran purchased the home outright in 1895 for his family and expanded and modernized the home. In 1958, the Cochran family sold the property to The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America
in The State of Texas. The NSCDA operates the home today as a historic house museum. The Neill-Cochran House Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
and is a Texas Historical Commission
landmark.
In 2007, White Rabbit Adventure Games published a walk-through computer adventure game based on the Neill-Cochran House. The game, "Sterling's Gift", features a fictional story based on published memoirs and diaries that helps the player solve a 150-year-old mystery involving George Custer's wife Libbie. Royalties from the sale of this unique game go to the Neill-Cochran House Museum.
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, a few blocks west of the University of Texas. It was built in 1855 as a suburban estate many years before the surrounding area was settled by other homes and businesses. The two-story Greek Revival home was designed and constructed by noted master builder Abner Cook
Abner Cook
Abner Hugh Cook was a self-taught Texas architect and general contractor responsible for the design of several historic and notable buildings in Texas, particularly Austin, such as the Texas Governor's Mansion...
and features prominent Doric
Doric order
The Doric order was one of the three orders or organizational systems of ancient Greek or classical architecture; the other two canonical orders were the Ionic and the Corinthian.-History:...
columns and Mr. Cook's signature "sheaf of wheat" balusters.
History
The House was built on 17.5 acres (70,820.1 m²) northwest of town for Washington and Mary Hill, although they never occupied it. In 1856, it was leased to the Texas Asylum for the Blind, currently known as the Texas Blind InstituteTexas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a Texas special public school, in the continuum of statewide placements for students who have a visual impairment. It is considered a statewide resource to parents of these children and professionals who serve them...
, to serve as its first home until Abner Cook finished the school's campus across town.
Subsequently, the House was leased by Lt. Governor Fletcher Stockdale
Fletcher Stockdale
Fletcher Summerfield Stockdale was a U.S. politician in Texas.Stockdale was born in either 1823 or 1825 in Russellville, Kentucky as one of eight children of Thomas W. and Laurinda Stockdale. He studied law and was admitted to the Bar in Kentucky...
and, it is believed, former Provisional Governor Andrew J. Hamilton
Andrew J. Hamilton
Andrew Jackson Hamilton was a United States politician during the third quarter of the 19th century. He was a lawyer, state representative, military governor of Texas, as well as the 11th Governor of Texas during Reconstruction.-Early life:Hamilton was born in Huntsville, Alabama on January 28, 1815...
. At the end of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Federal troops converted the House into a hospital. General George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class...
was stationed in Austin during Reconstruction, occupying the blind school and, no doubt, visit the Neill-Cochran House.
In 1876, the home was sold to Colonel Andrew Neill, a Confederate veteran. Neill lived there with his wife Jennie Chapman Neill, who stayed on after Neill's death and in 1893 rented the home to Judge Thomas Beauford Cochran.
Cochran purchased the home outright in 1895 for his family and expanded and modernized the home. In 1958, the Cochran family sold the property to The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America
The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America
The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America is an American organization composed of women who are descended from an ancestor "who came to reside in an American Colony before 1750, and whose services were rendered during the Colonial Period." The national headquarters of the society is at...
in The State of Texas. The NSCDA operates the home today as a historic house museum. The Neill-Cochran House Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
and is a Texas Historical Commission
Texas Historical Commission
The Texas Historical Commission is an agency dedicated to historic preservation within the state of Texas. It administers the National Register of Historic Places for sites in Texas....
landmark.
In 2007, White Rabbit Adventure Games published a walk-through computer adventure game based on the Neill-Cochran House. The game, "Sterling's Gift", features a fictional story based on published memoirs and diaries that helps the player solve a 150-year-old mystery involving George Custer's wife Libbie. Royalties from the sale of this unique game go to the Neill-Cochran House Museum.