History

Austin history and landmarks

Austin history and landmarks: start with The Contemporary Austin, Antone’s exterior and marquee, and Austin Motel. Use the 50 places below to build a plan around this theme; each place has source-backed details behind its description.

50 places

Places to start with

French Legation State Historic Site

Source-backed place · History

French Legation State Historic Site

Built in 1841 on an East Austin hilltop, the French Legation is Austin's oldest existing home. Once a diplomatic outpost for the…

George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center

Source-backed place · Museums

George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center

Discover Texas's first neighborhood museum dedicated to African American history and culture. Housed in a historic 1926 building…

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Hotel San José

Source-backed place · Landmarks

Hotel San José

Tucked behind stucco walls in Austin's lively South Congress neighborhood, this 1930s motor court has been transformed into a des…

Huston–Tillotson University

Source-backed place · History

Huston–Tillotson University

Discover Huston–Tillotson University, Austin's oldest institution of higher learning. Established in 1875, this historic, faith-b…

Jeremiah Hamilton House

Source-backed place · History

Jeremiah Hamilton House

This unique, two-story triangular stone house was built in 1871 by Jeremiah Hamilton, a self-taught, formerly enslaved man who be…

Littlefield House

Source-backed place · History

Littlefield House

Located on the University of Texas at Austin campus, the historic 1893 Littlefield House is a striking red-brown Victorian home.…

Mueller Control Tower

Source-backed place · Landmarks

Mueller Control Tower

Standing as a vibrant relic of Austin's aviation history, this iconic 1961 control tower features distinct blue panels and sits a…

Museum of Illusions Austin

Source-backed place · Museums

Museum of Illusions Austin

Step into a world of wonder at the Museum of Illusions Austin. This interactive edutainment museum features over 50 mind-bending…

Neills-Cochran House Museum

Source-backed place · Museums

Neills-Cochran House Museum

Step back in time at this 1855 Greek Revival landmark, one of Austin's most important historic residences. Designed by Abner Cook…

O. Henry Museum

Source-backed place · Museums

O. Henry Museum

Step back in time at this charming 1880s Queen Anne-style cottage, the former home of legendary short-story writer O. Henry. Disc…

Oakwood Cemetery

Source-backed place · History

Oakwood Cemetery

Established in 1839, Oakwood Cemetery is Austin's oldest city-owned cemetery. Spanning 40 acres, this historic resting place feat…

Old Bakery and Emporium

Source-backed place · History

Old Bakery and Emporium

Located just steps from the Texas State Capitol, this 1876 historic landmark features a local artisan shop, a gallery showcasing…

Santa Rita Courts

Source-backed place · History

Santa Rita Courts

Discover Santa Rita Courts, a historic East Austin public housing community. Completed in 1939, it was the first project in the U…

Scarbrough Building

Source-backed place · History

Scarbrough Building

Stand at the historic corner of Congress Avenue and Sixth Street to admire the Scarbrough Building, Austin's first skyscraper. Bu…

Stubb’s street corner gateway frontage

Source-backed place · Landmarks

Stubb’s street corner gateway frontage

This iconic street corner gateway in downtown Austin marks the entrance to Stubb's, a legendary live-music and barbecue instituti…

Susanna Dickinson Museum

Source-backed place · Museums

Susanna Dickinson Museum

Explore the Susanna Dickinson Museum, the only surviving home of the famous Alamo survivor. Built in 1869, this historic rubble-r…

Symphony Square

Source-backed place · History

Symphony Square

Nestled in downtown Austin, Symphony Square is a historic complex featuring four limestone buildings, a 350-seat stone amphitheat…

Texas African American History Memorial

Source-backed place · History

Texas African American History Memorial

Located on the Texas State Capitol grounds, this striking 27-foot-tall bronze monument by sculptor Ed Dwight chronicles African A…

The Cathedral (Canopy)

Source-backed place · Museums

The Cathedral (Canopy)

The Cathedral, famously known as the Cathedral of Junk, is a whimsical, multi-level folk-art installation in Austin. Created by V…

The Littlefield Home

Source-backed place · History

The Littlefield Home

This striking 1893 Victorian home on the University of Texas at Austin campus was built for Civil War veteran and cattle baron Ge…

The Six Pack

Source-backed place · History

The Six Pack

Discover "The Six Pack," a collection of six historic, red-roofed buildings framing the University of Texas at Austin's scenic So…

Travis Heights Neighborhood

Source-backed place · Landmarks

Travis Heights Neighborhood

Explore Travis Heights, a historic South Austin neighborhood famous for its winding, tree-lined streets, diverse architecture, an…

Travis Heights-Fairview Park Historic District

Source-backed place · History

Travis Heights-Fairview Park Historic District

Explore Austin's first historic district south of the river. This scenic 353-acre residential neighborhood features winding stree…

Victory Grill

Source-backed place · History

Victory Grill

Established in 1945 on Austin's Eastside, the historic Victory Grill is one of Texas's oldest blues venues and a legendary Chitli…

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