Austin Then and Now
Stepping Stone Schools
THEN You’ve seen their locations all over town, but I bet you didn’t know Stepping Stone School was Austin homegrown! Back in the late 1970s, when the Paver family moved to Austin, they searched for affordable, quality early childcare and education for their...
Kerbey Lane Cafe
Then While local eateries in Austin have come and gone throughout the years, Kerbey Lane Café has been a mainstay since it opened its doors back in the 1980s. Located in a bungalow on Kerbey Lane in central Austin, founders David and Patricia Ayer operated their...
Ballet Austin
THEN Barbara Carson is the powerhouse “en pointe” solely responsible for creating what eventually became Ballet Austin. Once a soloist in the NYC Ballet, Carson established Ballet Austin’s studios at the 100-year-old firehouse on Guadalupe Street. For 27 years BA made...
Paramount Theater
Many Austinites may remember the night of the Paramount Theatre’s 100th anniversary, celebrated in October 2015. That night, Patty Griffin played a sold-out show, and the air felt electric as officials relit the restored Paramount sign. It was a night for the...
Austin Settlement Home
Then The Settlement Home for Children is often associated with its massive annual garage sale, benefiting the children they serve. But long before this well-loved charity event came about, the Settlement Home was a small organization formed by a group of twelve...
Barton Springs
Then The crown jewel of Austin, Barton Springs, has brought people together for decades. Before it was a beloved public pool, Native Americans used the springs as a water source and gathering place. It later became a favored destination for carriage rides and military...
The Thinkery
Then Before it ever had a permanent home, the Austin Children’s Museum lived out of a station wagon. That’s right, it was a mobile museum created by a group of parents and educators who wanted to offer broader cultural experiences to the kids of Austin. These...
Old Rock Store
Then Before it ever sold pizza or coffee, the limestone building at 6266 US-290 was once called the Old Rock Store, constructed in 1898. It was built by James A. Patton, a former Texas Ranger and often referred to as the unofficial mayor of Oak Hill. Since then, the...
ThunderCloud Subs and Turkey Trot
Whether or not you typically run marathons over the holidays, the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot is a beloved Austin tradition. Since 1991, Austinites have gathered the morning of Thanksgiving to spend quality time together and to work up a healthy appetite getting in...