Littlefield House, Austin

The Littlefield House, situated on the University of Texas campus in Austin, is a historically significant residence. It was constructed in 1893 for George Littlefield, a veteran of the Civil War, who was not only a prosperous figure in banking and cattle trading but also a major supporter of UT. The architectural style chosen for the house was the popular Victorian style of that era.

During their residency in the house, Major Littlefield and his wife Alice made substantial contributions to the university. This included financial support for projects like the Littlefield Fountain, the Main Building, and the Littlefield Dormitory. Additionally, they oversaw the development of the Littlefield Building in downtown Austin, which was completed in 1912.

In 1935, upon Alice Littlefield's passing, she bequeathed the house to the university. Today, it serves as a facility for storage and office purposes under the management of the Office of Resource Development.

Notably, George Littlefield introduced a "Deodar Cedar" (Cedrus deodara), also known as the "Himalayan Cedar," which he imported from the Himalayas and planted on the property. Littlefield went to great lengths, even replacing the soil with Himalayan soil for the tree's growth. This approximately 35-foot tree, located on the southwest side of the house, stands out due to its unique horizontal layering, making it one of the most distinctive trees on the campus.