Austin Area — then and now

I have posted two articles this morning about specific historical periods in Austin, but Austin and the surrounding area of Central Texas have a lot of history and historical sites so I took time to assemble a few more:

State Capitol

French Legation

Southwestern University

(oldest university in Texas, est. before statehood, in 1840)

Other historical colleges and universities:  University of Texas, Huston-Tillotson University,  St. Edwards University, and Texas State University (formerly Southwestern Texas State University) all feature prominently from the 19th century.

Driskill Hotel

Mount Bonnell

Of course, we’re also proud of what’s going on here now — South by Southwest starts this week, Austin City Limits Music Festival will be here again in the Fall, and the 6th Street entertainment district is always “on.”  Austin works hard to earn the right to call itself the Live Music Capital Of The World.

In town there are runs and bicycle events very frequently, hot air balloonists soaring over the area, sailing races and just “one foot on the tiller” boaters on Lake Travis, skiers on Lake Austin and Lake Travis.  The Highland Lakes and Texas Hill Country are always great.  (And they’re obviously a big part of why people settled here in the first place.)  We have a thriving Texas wine industry, and that’s a great reason to explore, too.

Last but not least:  it’s almost Spring — my favorite time in Central Texas.  We’ve had a pretty wet Winter, which usually means a beautiful bluebonnet season.  Check out The Bluebonnet Trail!

This just scratches the surface of what makes Austin Austin.  Come see for yourself.