The Raymond-Morley House

A Little Piece of Texas History

In 2023, Wittliff Cutter moved into the historic Raymond-Morley House at 510 Baylor Street in the West Line National Register Historic District of Old West Austin. Named for the home’s first two owners — John Raymond and Stephen and Cora Morley — the 150-year-old home is on the National Register of Historic Places and has changed hands just three times in its long life. The famed writer O. Henry reportedly lived in the house during part of his stay in Austin.
The Raymond-Morley House woodcut print
The Raymond-Morley House
The Raymond-Morley House Austin landmark

A Hub for Screen and Literary Talents

In 1973, Bill and Sally Wittliff (parents of Wittliff Cutter name partner Reid Wittliff) purchased the home and made it the headquarters of Encino Press, their publishing house that specialized in finely crafted books about Texas and the Southwest.

In addition to his publishing business, Bill Wittliff was a noted author, photographer, and screenwriter best known for his screen adaptations of Larry McMurtry’s novel Lonesome Dove and Jim Harrison’s novella Legends of the Fall.

The home was visited over the years by such screen luminaries as Tommy Lee Jones, Willie Nelson, Sam Shepherd, Sissy Spacek, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper. The Raymond-Morley house also served as a writer’s retreat, with Bill and Sally providing space for writers such as Stephen Harrigan, Bud Shrake, and Bill Broyles.

Bill and Sally donated their collection of manuscripts, photographs, and other Texana to Texas State University, where it now lives as The Wittliff Collections, dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the creative legacy of the Southwest’s literary, photographic, and musical arts.

Renovation and Restoration

Before the Wittliff Cutter law firm moved in, Reid Wittliff oversaw a comprehensive renovation and restoration to bring the building back to its original glory. The project involved a complete overhaul of the building’s systems, restoration of historic windows, doors, and plaster walls, and the re-creation of the unique railings on the upper porch.
The restoration project was overseen by Sabre Commercial and Carter Design Associates, an Austin architecture firm specializing in historic restorations. Artisan Hardwood Floors oversaw the restoration of the home’s centerpiece staircase.

Our law firm is honored to call such a unique and historic place our home. We plan to be exceptional stewards of our little piece of Texas history.