Austin Then and Now

Then In 1938, when Travis County had far more pasture than pavement, Rodeo Austin planted its roots. With more than 2,600 farms in the area, agriculture was not background music, it was daily life. Community leaders organized a livestock show to strengthen the economy...

Then Before it became one of Austin’s most photographed landmarks, the Pennybacker Bridge solved a problem. In the late 1970s, the city needed a way to complete Loop 360, connecting north and south Austin. A key priority was minimizing environmental impact on the...

Then   You probably already know that the Trail of Lights has been an Austin holiday staple for more than 60 years. But did you know it didn’t begin as a trail or even a celebration of lights?   When the event began in 1965, it was called “Yule Fest.”...

Then When cattle baron Col. Jesse Driskill opened the Driskill Hotel in 1886, the property featured 60 well-appointed guest rooms. Twelve rooms boasted en-suite baths, a rare amenity for the time, so the Daily Statesman hailed it as “one of the finest hotels in the...

 Then The 1980s brought more to Austin than big hair and shoulder pads. That decade marked the beginning of the state capital city’s evolution into the Bat Capital of the U.S.   The transition began with the renovation of the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue...

  Then In 1893, the Colorado River was Austin's only waterway. It was transformed when a dam was built to create Lake McDonald. The Great Colorado couldn't be held. In 1900, it destroyed the dam and, then a decade later, another dam. In 1940, the Tom Miller Dam...

Then The University of Texas (UT) was founded in 1883, and it took 10 years to start a football team; in 1924, the first football stadium was built. Students and alumni raised over $250,000 to fund the project. It was originally christened War Memorial Stadium to...

THENCharles Umlauf was an artist, University of Texas professor, philanthropist, and nature enthusiast. In 1944, he purchased eight acres on the top of a hill near Barton Creek. At the time, the property had an old carriage house that had fallen into disrepair. The...

Everyone knows that Austin loves live music, but what about the city’s performing arts scene? When it comes to exceptional theater performances, look no further than ZACH Theatre. Over many decades, the institution has transformed into a major regional theater,...

Then Known as one of the most beautiful lookout spots in town, Mount Bonnell has long been an Austin favorite. Resting 775ft. above sea level and overlooking the Colorado River, this now 5.1-acre historic linear park is the highest point in Austin, offering a blend of...