Hall of Heroes at the Hall of State

Originally the State of Texas Building, the Hall of State commemorates the history of Texas as a state. Considered one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in Texas, it was built in 1936 for the Texas Centennial Exposition for an astronomical $1.2 million, making it at the time the most expensive structure built in the state. Designed by architect Donald Barthelme, the Hall of State was built from Texas limestone in the Beaux Arts style with memorials to Texas heroes. As such, it is the culmination of the 1,500-foot-long Esplanade of State, which is flanked by six exhibition pavilions and a long reflecting pool. The Hall of Heroes inside the Hall of State features six bronze statues: James Fannin, Mirabeau B. Lamar, Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, Thomas Jefferson Rusk and William B. Travis. The hall also has bronze plaques that commemorate the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.

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