"When the Texas Governor's Mansion was officially inaugurated in August
1856, at least some of the Bastrop-pine floors had oilcloth coverings, a stylish touch of the day that caused then-Gov. Elisha Pease to brag about it in a letter to his wife."Years later, the floors got makeovers that lasted through the years ? sanded and refinished many times, no doubt ? until an arsonist torched the stately Greek Revival landmark on June 8, 2008, and the resulting cascade of firefighting water left the modern wood floors cupped and buckled."