On June 8, 2008, someone threw a Molotov cocktail onto the front porch of the Texas Governor's Mansion, the Greek Revival house built under Abner Cook that had sheltered Texas governors since 1856. About 100 firefighters responded. The roof and front windows were destroyed, but most of the structure survived. The house was nearly empty: its furnishings, light fixtures and historic art had been taken out for a planned renovation, and Governor Rick Perry and his wife Anita were in Scandinavia. Ten years later the Austin Fire Department still called the fire one of the greatest unsolved crimes in Texas history. Restoring and expanding the historic house afterward took four years and cost $25 million.
The Department of Public Safety took over the case in October 2009. Texas Rangers had the video of the arsonist enhanced with help from the FBI, drew a forensic sketch, and went through thousands of hours of tape from 11 cameras. In it they found a white Jeep Cherokee whose occupants were photographing the mansion at about 2 a.m. on June 4, four days before the fire. Out of more than 3,000 similar Jeeps in Texas they traced the driver, who named two passengers. In February 2011 DPS called all three persons of interest and offered a $50,000 reward. All three denied any part in the arson, and no one was ever charged.
The $25 million included $3.5 million in private donations, and Perry declared the work finished on July 18, 2012. The work added about 1,500 square feet, a geothermal system drawing on 53 wells drilled 300 feet deep, and closed the adjoining block of Colorado Street to cars. Stephen F. Austin's writing desk went back inside.
Getting there
30.2727, -97.7430
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