East Sixth Street Historic District

What to know

The East Sixth Street Historic District serves as a primary cultural and commercial hub in the heart of downtown Austin. Originally known as Pecan Street, it first appeared on Edwin Waller's maps of Austin in 1839. It was renamed Sixth Street in 1884 when the city outgrew its original naming system, which used native tree names for the first 14 east-to-west blocks. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the street developed as a bustling trade district and a diverse melting pot where European, Middle Eastern, Asian, and African American entrepreneurs operated businesses side-by-side, defying segregation to welcome all. The district's commercial importance declined in the 1940s and post-World War II, developing a skid-row atmosphere of pawn shops and bars in the 1950s and 1960s. However, the late 1970s brought a cultural revival. Led by the Old Pecan Street Association, including Dr. Emma Lou Linn, preservationists reclaimed the space. The nine-block area between Lavaca Street and Interstate 35 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 30, 1975. Revitalization continued into the 1980s with the adaptive reuse of historic buildings stretching from Congress Avenue east to I-35. Today, the district retains its Victorian charm, showcasing two- and three-story masonry commercial buildings. A notable landmark is the grand Richardsonian Driskill Hotel, established in 1886. The area also boasts a rich musical legacy, having given legendary artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and The Grateful Dead early exposure before Austin became known as the Live Music Capital of the World.

Visitor tips

• Step inside the historic Driskill Hotel, established in 1886, to admire its Richardsonian architecture or enjoy a drink at the famous Driskill Bar.
• Walk the nine-block stretch between Congress Avenue and I-35 to appreciate one of the largest concentrations of Victorian commercial architecture west of the Mississippi.
• Look out for the 600 block on the south side of East 6th, historically noted as the only block breaking the solid Victorian streetscape.
• Take a short detour to nearby Brush Square to view the 1869 limestone Susanna Dickinson Museum and the 1886 O. Henry Museum cottage.

Nearby context

The East Sixth Street Historic District is situated in the urban core of downtown Austin, spanning the corridor from Congress Avenue to Interstate 35. This vibrant neighborhood is bordered roughly by 5th Street to the south and 7th Street to the north, placing it within the East 6th Street Public Improvement District. Just a short walk away lies Brush Square, home to historic treasures like the 1869 Susanna Dickinson Museum and the 1886 O. Henry Museum cottage, making this area a rich epicenter of Austin's early history and modern downtown energy.