Austin’s History: Historic Sites and Landmarks

 

 

MUSEUM, UNIVERSITIES & LIBRARIES

O. Henry Museum

409 E 5th St., Austin, TX 78701

The O. Henry Museum is a historic house in Austin, Texas, that was once the home of the famous short story writer William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O. Henry. The house was built in 1886 and Porter lived there from 1893 to 1895. During this time, he wrote some of his earliest and most famous stories, including “The Gift of the Magi” and “The Ransom of Red Chief.”

The museum is open to the public and offers tours, exhibits, and programs about Porter’s life and work. Visitors can see original furniture and décor from Porter’s home, as well as illustrations, sheet music, and manuscripts by Porter.

O. Henry Museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973  which means that the museum is considered to be a significant part of American history and culture.

 

Blanton Museum of Art

200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78712

The Blanton Museum of Art is a university art museum located in Austin, Texas. It is one of the largest university art museums in the United States, with a collection of over 21,000 works of art. The museum’s collection includes European paintings, an encyclopedic collection of prints and drawings, and modern and contemporary American and Latin American art.

The museum has been awarded the American Association of Museums’ (AAM) highest honor, the Margaret Brown Award for Excellence in Museum Leadership.

 

The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria

3809 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria is a museum of modern and contemporary art in Austin, Texas. It is located on the shores of Lake Austin, in a former villa that was built in 1916. The museum’s collection includes over 14,000 works of art, and it hosts a variety of exhibitions, performances, and educational programs.

 

Neill-Cochran House Museum

2310 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705

The Neill-Cochran House Museum is a historic home in north-central Austin, Texas. It was built in 1855 by master builder Abner Cook as a suburban estate many years before the surrounding area was settled by other homes and businesses. The house is one of Austin’s oldest residences and is the only one in the city with intact slave quarters.

The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. The house was used as a military hospital during the Civil War.

The Neill-Cochran House Museum is a valuable resource for learning about Austin history and the history of slavery in Texas. It is a beautiful and well-maintained home that is worth a visit.

 

UT Tower

110 Inner Campus Drive, Austin, TX 78705

The UT Tower is a 307-foot (94 m) tall landmark on the University of Texas at Austin campus in Austin, Texas, United States. Known as the Main Building or simply “the Tower”, it was designed by Paul Philippe Cret and Robert Leon White, and was completed in 1937.

The UT Tower is an iconic landmark that is both a symbol of the University of Texas at Austin and the city of Austin. It is a popular tourist destination and offers stunning views of the city. The Tower is also a reminder of the tragic events of 1966, but it is also a symbol of resilience and hope.

 

George Washington Carver Museum

1165 Angelina St, Austin, TX 78702

The George Washington Carver Museum is a museum and cultural center in east Austin, Texas, housed in the former George Washington Carver branch of the Austin Public Library. It was founded in 1926 as a segregated library for African Americans, and was renamed after George Washington Carver, an African American agricultural scientist and inventor, in 1941.

The museum’s collection includes artifacts, documents, and photographs that document the history and culture of African Americans in Austin and Texas. The museum also has a gallery that hosts rotating exhibits on topics related to African American history and culture.

 

Elisabet Ney Museum

304 E 44th St, Austin, TX 78751

The Elisabet Ney Museum is a museum in Austin, Texas, United States. It is housed in the former studio of sculptor Elisabet Ney and is dedicated to showcasing her life and works. There is a permanent collection of her portrait busts and personal memorabilia on display.

The Elisabet Ney Museum is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

Bullock Texas State History Museum

1800 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

The Bullock Texas State History Museum is a museum in Austin, Texas, that tells the story of Texas from its beginnings to the present day. It is the official state history museum of Texas and is located in the heart of downtown Austin.

The museum’s name is a tribute to George W. Bullock, a prominent Austin businessman and philanthropist who was instrumental in the museum’s founding. The Bullock Texas State History Museum is a popular tourist destination and is visited by over 500,000 people each year.

 

LBJ Presidential Library

2313 Red River St, Austin, TX 78705

The LBJ Presidential Library is a presidential library and museum complex in Austin, Texas, that is dedicated to the life and presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson. It was dedicated on May 22, 1971, and is one of the 13 presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.

The library’s collection includes over 42 million pages of documents, 33,000 photographs, 1,000 hours of audio recordings, and 1,000 hours of video recordings. The library also has a museum that exhibits artifacts from Johnson’s life and presidency, as well as a theater that shows films about Johnson and his presidency.

 

NATURAL STRUCTURE & PARKS

Zilker Metropolitan Park

Austin, TX 78746

Zilker Metropolitan Park is a 358-acre (145 ha) urban park in Austin, Texas, United States. Located in south Austin, the park contains the Zilker Botanical Garden, Zilker Hillside Theater, Zilker Metropolitan Park Pool, Barton Creek Greenbelt, and Deep Eddy Pool, as well as numerous other recreational facilities.

The park has a long and rich history. It was used as a training ground for the Texas National Guard during World War I, and it was also the site of the 1928 Texas Centennial Exposition. The park has also been used for a variety of other events, including concerts, festivals, and sporting events.

 

Inner Space Cavern

4200 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Georgetown, TX 78626

Inner Space Cavern is a 3.4-mile (5.5 km) long cave located in Spicewood, Texas, United States. It is a popular tourist destination and is known for its unique features, including its stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone.

The cave was discovered in 1963 by a group of cavers who were exploring the Barton Creek Greenbelt. The cave was originally named “Spicewood Cavern”, but it was renamed “Inner Space Cavern” in 1971.

 

Mount Bonnell

3800 Mount Bonnell Rd; Austin, Texas 78731

Mount Bonnell is a 781-foot (238 m) limestone cliff overlooking Lake Austin in Austin, Texas. It is the highest point in Austin and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.

The cliff was named after George W. Bonnell, a former mayor of Austin. Bonnell was a prominent figure in Austin’s early history and is credited with helping to establish the city as a major center of commerce and culture.

Mount Bonnell was originally a sacred site for the Tonkawa Native Americans, who called it “Towakoni Peak”. The Tonkawa used the cliff as a lookout point and a place to conduct religious ceremonies. Today, Mount Bonnell is a popular tourist destination and a beloved landmark for Austinites. The cliff offers stunning views of the city and Lake Austin, and it is a popular spot for hiking, biking, and picnicking.

 

West 6th Street

Roughly bounded by 5th, 7th, Lavaca Streets and I-35, Austin, Texas

West 6th Street is a historic street in Austin, Texas, United States. It is known for its vibrant nightlife and eclectic mix of bars, restaurants, and shops.

In the 1990s, West 6th Street underwent a major revitalization, and the street was transformed into a pedestrian-friendly destination with a wide variety of businesses. Today, West 6th Street is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Austin, and it is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys live music, good food, and a lively atmosphere.

 

Deep Eddy Municipal Pool

401 Deep Eddy Ave, Austin, TX 78703

Deep Eddy Municipal Pool is a historic swimming pool located in Austin, Texas. It is one of the oldest public pools in the United States, and it is known for its spring-fed waters and its unique architecture.

The pool was built in 1918, and it was originally named “Deep Eddy Bathhouse”. The pool was named after the deep, clear spring that feeds it. The spring is located on the edge of the Barton Creek Greenbelt, and it is fed by underground aquifers.

The pool was designed by architect Harvey Page, and it is one of the few remaining examples of his work. The pool is made of limestone and concrete, and it features a unique roof that is supported by concrete buttresses.

 

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

Texas Capitol

1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

The Texas Capitol, situated in the heart of Austin, is a majestic architectural masterpiece and the focal point of Texas politics. Completed in 1888, this historic building serves as the home of the state’s government and embodies the rich history and culture of Texas.

The architectural design was inspired by the Renaissance Revival style, featuring intricate detailing, grand columns, and a stunning dome. However, an unfortunate twist occurred during the construction process. In 1887, a severe fire broke out, devastating the building and destroying much of the interior. Miraculously, the granite walls and the iron dome structure remained intact, allowing for the restoration and completion of the Capitol the following year. This event became a testament to the resilience and determination of the Texan spirit, as the Capitol rose from the ashes to become a symbol of strength and endurance for the state.

 

RESTAURANT, BAKERY AND BARS

Scholz Garten

1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

Scholz Garten is a historic beer garden located in Austin, Texas. It is one of the oldest continuously operating bars in Austin, and it is known for its live music and its traditional German beer.

The beer garden was founded in 1866 by Adolphus Scholz, a German immigrant. Scholz was a brewer by trade, and he opened the beer garden to sell his own beer. The beer garden quickly became popular, and it soon became a gathering place for Austin’s German community.

Despite the changes, Scholz Garten has retained its traditional German atmosphere. The beer garden is still decorated with German flags and banners, and the beer garden still serves traditional German beer. Scholz Garten is also a popular live music venue, and it is known for its live music on weekends.

 

Old Bakery and Emporium

1006 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

The Old Bakery and Emporium is a historic building in Austin, Texas. It was built in 1899 as a bakery and mercantile store, and it is one of the oldest buildings in downtown Austin.

The building was originally owned by William C. Pease, a prominent Austin businessman. Pease named the bakery after his daughter, Alice, and the bakery quickly became a popular destination for Austinites. The bakery was known for its fresh-baked breads and pastries, and it also sold a variety of other goods, including groceries, dry goods, and notions.