Texas’s 12 essential architectural sites
In addition to significant contemporary buildings, Texas also has a rich history that’s shaped the built landscape. Visit the surviving 18th-century missions and you’ll find buildings that show the cultural influences of American Indians and Spanish friars; take a tour near Fredericksburg to see how 19th-century German immigrants built a church inspired by both European heritage and a Texas vernacular. And in the 19th and 20th centuries, a philanthropy-minded class of wealthy patrons have in turn made their mark on the architectural spirit of the state’s commercial centers.
To appreciate the breadth and diversity in Texas architecture, we’ve rounded up the state’s 12 most significant buildings. They range from historic structures to modern masterpieces, but all provide a glimpse into the culture, community, and built environment of the Lone Star State.