In 1839, five mounted scouts ranged over a broad area of wilderness seeking a site for a new capital city for the Republic of Texas. Location on north bank of Colorado River...
In 1839, five mounted scouts ranged over a broad area of wilderness seeking a site for a new capital city for the Republic of Texas. Location on north bank of Colorado River was chosen where rich blacklands meet scenic hills. Site occupied at the time by a four-family settlement called Waterloo. Name honors Stephen F. Austin, the “Father of Texas.” In early Sept. 1839, archives and furniture of Texas government were transported from Houston to Austin by 50 ox-drawn wagons.
Institutions of higher learning include Austin Community College, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Concordia Univ. at Austin, Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, Huston-Tillotson College, St. Edward’s Univ., and The Univ. of Texas at Austin.
Major annual events include South by Southwest Music, Film and Interactive conferences in March, and the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Sept.
Austin is starting point for the Presidential Corridor via U.S. 290, Texas 21 to Texas 6 in Bryan/College Station connecting the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum with the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in Austin.
The city bills itself as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Austin has it all—blues, country, reggae, jazz, conjunto, Tejano, swing and rock—performing in nearly 200 live music venues around city and at nightspots along Sixth Street.
High tech and upbeat, that’s Silicon Hills. Austin is home to many computer chip makers and other computer industries. The city is home to the nation’s largest urban bat colony, found under the Ann Richards Congress Ave. Bridge during the summer. A kiosk on the north shore of Lady Bird Lake’s hike-and-bike trail near Four Seasons Hotel and one on the south shore inform visitors when and where to watch for the nocturnal mammals.
The greater Austin area offers more than 25 bed & breakfasts and more than 220 hotel establishments.
Austin Visitor Center: 209 E. 6th St. 866/GO-
AUSTIN, 512/478-0098, www.austintexas.org