Standing on the southeast corner of the Texas Capitol Grounds, the Texas Capitol Visitors Center is housed in the 1857 General Land Office, the oldest state office building in Texas. With its castle-like architecture, arched windows, and limestone walls, this Texas Historic Landmark has witnessed nearly two centuries of state history.

Inside, interactive exhibits explore the Capitol’s construction, Texas politics, and the state’s frontier past. Visitors can see historic maps, early land records, and artifacts from the Texas Revolution, along with displays on famous political figures and the evolution of the Lone Star State. The building’s original vaults and iron doors offer a glimpse into its past as a repository for land grants that shaped Texas.

With free admission and a prime location just steps from the Capitol, the Texas Capitol Visitors Center is the perfect first stop for anyone looking to dive into Texas history before exploring the Capitol itself.