Austin | Historic Images & Postcards

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Site prep is already underway (the surface area in the foreground), Bingo portion is gone.

There may be two seven-story Apt. projects going up here. Documents show the site split in half for one project with a Riverside address and one with a Parker Lane address.

[DetroitSky]

It's crazy how much the capitol dominates the city in these old photos.

[JACKinBeantown]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Jester Center. You can also see the old Brackenridge Hospital in the background.

https://jimnicar.com/2017/02/10/the-...mous-building/

I can see my freshman year dorm room!

[KevinFromTexas]

The Littlefield Building appears to be under construction. It was completed in 1912.


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...&theater&ifg=1

1907 - Scarborough and Littlefield Building construction.


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...&theater&ifg=1



1905


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...&theater&ifg=1

1918


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...&theater&ifg=1

1868


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...&theater&ifg=1

[jg6544]

Originally Posted by DetroitSky

It's crazy how much the capitol dominates the city in these old photos.

Some of us wouldn't be broken-hearted if it still did. When I knew Austin, the only things you could see until you got into town were the Tower and the Capitol.

[KevinFromTexas]

https://www.statesman.com/NEWS/20170...n-in-the-2010s

Pickle Building under construction.

The downtown Austin skyline in January 1964. Austin History Center, Austin Public Library AS-64-43972.

http://specials.mystatesman.com/aust...q-T7jHGXgOe4Zw

[H2O]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

https://www.statesman.com/NEWS/20170...n-in-the-2010s

Pickle Building under construction.




http://specials.mystatesman.com/aust...q-T7jHGXgOe4Zw

Is that the foot of East Avenue? I thought IH-35 was built in 1960. This view of the shoreline looks positively country bumpkin.

[Armybrat]

Yes it is. I-35 is out of the picture to the right.

When the first stage of 35 was constructed in 1957-58 it veered off to the east starting southbound around 1st Street (C. Chavez). That was to avoid building the interstate bridge directly into the steep stone bluff on the south side of the Colorado River across from the foot of East Avenue. The path of least resistance, so to speak.

The second stage of 35’s construction in 1960-61 then filled in the stretch from 1st up to 19th (C. Chavez) to connect with the Interregional highway which had been built first four or five years prior.

As I recall, until 35 was built all the way through, the 1st-19th stretch of old East Avenue was where the main rush hour traffic was concentrated for about 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon due to state employees all keeping the same hours.

[H2O]

Thanks for the explanation!

Originally Posted by Armybrat

As I recall, until 35 was built all the way through, the 1st-19th stretch of old East Avenue was where the main rush hour traffic was concentrated for about 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon due to state employees all keeping the same hours.

Same as it ever was - except that rush half-hour is now most of the day. Trying to get to or across 35 in that same stretch can take 45 - 60 minutes between 4:00 - 7:00 PM for the same reason.

[Armybrat]

The difference being, East Avenue was just about the only part of the entire city that had bumper to bumper traffic at the abbreviated rush hours.
Maybe some on Congress and The Drag, but that was it.

On a Friday evening at 7pm I could drive from my parents’ home near I-35 & Woodland (southeast Austin) up to my gf’s house at 5010 Shoal Creek in less than 20 minutes.

[jg6544]

Maybe you guys have some idea of why those of us who lived in Austin in the early-mid 60s are so nostalgic about it!

[mostly_afk]

just finished the "killers of the flower moon." I didn't expect connections to Austin, but there was. The FBI agent in charge was Tom White, son of Emmett White. Emmett White was Travis County Sheriff, who was also in charge of the jail. The jail was described as a fortress. Emmett White and his family lived in a house next to the jail. There was quite a bit written about Tom White's time in Austin. I was most curious about the jail that looked like a fortress, so I looked through the old photos at the Austin History Center and found a photo. The jail and adjoining home are on the bottom left of the photo. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out to post the photo.

[mostly_afk]

Originally Posted by mostly_afk

just finished the "killers of the flower moon." I didn't expect connections to Austin, but there was. The FBI agent in charge was Tom White, son of Emmett White. Emmett White was Travis County Sheriff, who was also in charge of the jail. The jail was described as a fortress. Emmett White and his family lived in a house next to the jail. There was quite a bit written about Tom White's time in Austin. I was most curious about the jail that looked like a fortress, so I looked through the old photos at the Austin History Center and found a photo. The jail and adjoining home are on the bottom left of the photo. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out to post the photo.

Here's the photo.

Wheelock, Charles B. [View of Southest Austin], photograph, [1889, 1894]; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth124493/: accessed April 12, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.

[IMG][View of Southest Austin] hosted by The Portal to Texas History[/IMG]

[H2O]

Originally Posted by jg6544

Maybe you guys have some idea of why those of us who lived in Austin in the early-mid 60s are so nostalgic about it!

I don't know. I grew up in a place that was and is still described the same way. That is why I left. It is pretty boring. When I visit, and people say "I don't know, I like it here. I can travel anywhere in town in 20 minutes." I always think that is just a description of how boring it is.

I've lived in Austin for 20 years, and the traffic has gotten worse and worse, but the city overall has gotten better. I'd much rather live in a city with a good pedestrian environment and bike facilities and a wide variety of things to do and see than a city that is easy to drive in.

[Armybrat]

Austin was not boring for a teenager in the late ‘50s & early ‘60s.
Plenty of places to go - cruising the Pig Stand & Holiday House, girls to date (& secluded places nearby to go parking), drive-in movies, school sock hops, easy to get beer, uncrowded Barton Springs & Campbell’s Hole, packed stadiums for Friday Night football & other well-attended school sports events , rollerskate arenas ( including the former National Guard Armory that eventually became the Armadillo World Headquarters), and easy access to uncrowded lake recreation - especially if you or a friend had a Glastron ski boat.

Good times for most of us.
But for East Austinites, obviously not so much in the era of segregation- what with those disgusting whites/colored only signs in public facilities everywhere.

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by jg6544

Maybe you guys have some idea of why those of us who lived in Austin in the early-mid 60s are so nostalgic about it!

People are usually nostalgic for their most formidable years (teens, 20s). They typically hold fond memories of those times and look upon them with rose colored glasses. It's human nature.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by paul78701

People are usually nostalgic for their most formidable years (teens, 20s). They typically hold fond memories of those times and look upon them with rose colored glasses. It's human nature.

Exactly. Depending on the age of the person, I hear the same thing about the 70s, 80s and even 90s. Then there are running jokes about recent transplants pining for Austin's good 'ol days of last Summer.

[jg6544]

The Austin I remember was a charming, university and political town. There was plenty to do. Plenty of room for walking or bicycle riding in the University neighborhood, too. There was a lot to be said for nothing being more than a 20-minute drive from anything else. I haven't been to Austin since 1985, but from what I see in pictures, it is crass, sterile, and just another clone of Houston or Dallas.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by The ATX

Exactly. Depending on the age of the person, I hear the same thing about the 70s, 80s and even 90s. Then there are running jokes about recent transplants pining for Austin's good 'ol days of last Summer.

And then there's people like me, who dug Austin in the 80s, 90s, 2000, 2010s, and now 2020. There were fun and different things in each of those decades. I am privileged to have witnessed all Austin had to offer since 1981. If you haven't, you all should watch Outlaw Blues with Peter Fonda. It will give you a taste of 80s Austin. I can't be the only one who has gotten something out of of each decade and then moved on without being overly nostalgic. Personally, I think Austin is like a fine wine that gets better with age. I love the spectacular evolution of Austin and where its headed, and would be bored to tears if things just stayed the same. And I wouldn't be on this forum if my desire wasn't for cramming in as many tall and shiny buildings that can fit within the downtown boundaries. There are still a bunch of gems around Austin, they're just a little more hidden. And I really don't give a shit about the traffic congestion and little inconveniences that come with being in the 11th largest city in the US. If I did, I would move to Monowi, Nebraska. Look it up.

Regarding the poster's comment above; " it is (Austin) crass, sterile, and just another clone of Houston or Dallas"...I couldn't disagree more, and I'll just leave it at that. You see ATX, I have changed!!

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by jg6544

I haven't been to Austin since 1985, but from what I see in pictures, it is crass, sterile, and just another clone of Houston or Dallas.

This is pretty offensive. Even if you hadn't stated the date, it certainly makes it clear that you haven't been to Austin in quite a long time.