A Journey Through Time Exploring Austin's Historic Landmarks
With 219 sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Austin stands as a living museum of Texas history. Sparkly Maid Austin understands, more than anyone, how relevant these architectural treasures are to tell our city's marvelous story.
The Magnificent Capitol Complex
Soaring above the Austin skyline, the Texas State Capitol proudly sits 302 feet above sea level, tallest of all those in Washington D.C. This is an 1888 masterpiece of a building in Renaissance Revival style, with a distinctive typical characteristic well known within the architectural traditions and identity associated with Austin: made up of Texas red granite. This was an audacious task to build the building, which consumed more than six years and employed over 15,000 railcar loads of sunset red granite quarried from Marble Falls. Its magnificent rotunda presents portraits of all individuals who have been president of the Republic of Texas or governors of the state in a display that forms a chronological history of Texas leadership.
Must-see Historical Places
The Driskill Hotel: This 1886 Romanesque structure remains Austin's oldest operating hotel.
Bremond Block Historic District: Comprised of ornately designed Victorian-era mansions dating from the 1850s to 1870s
Old Bakery: Dating from 1876, it now is used as a visitor centre and museum.
Moonlight Towers: The only surviving moonlight tower system in the world
French Legation: The oldest standing frame structure in Austin
Congress Avenue: Main Street of Texas
Since 1839, Congress Avenue has functioned in the capacity of Austin's ceremonial boulevard and still boasts some of the most incredible historic buildings within the confines of any city in this country. The Walter Tips Building flaunts its Venetian façade impressively; indeed, the more exciting thing perhaps is its rich history--its support girder had been made using exploded shells from the time of Confederate armies. It is now important to the many property owners near these relics that proficient move-out cleanings occur to help maintain their district for the tourists coming to revel in history.
Historic Congress Avenue Landmarks
The Paramount Theatre (1915): Austin's oldest surviving theater, featuring a stunning vertical blade sign
The Littlefield Building (1910): Austin's first skyscraper, built by Civil War veteran George Littlefield
The Robinson-Rosner Building (1856): One of the oldest surviving commercial structures on Congress
The Old Bakery (1876): A German-style commercial building now serving as a visitor center
The Scarbrough Building (1910): Austin's first steel-framed structure and first department store
The Hidden Gems of East Austin
Some of the most important Austin cultural landmarks are to be found in the eastern district of the city. There is Cisco's Restaurant & Bakery-a bright teal brick building at East Sixth and Comal Streets-which was also a political hub where even President Lyndon B. Johnson would visit. The Pan American Neighborhood Park, built in 1942, was dedicated to the city's growing Mexican American community and has hosted a number of Tejano musicians and cultural events.
Preserving the Cultural Heritage
Smaller-but no less worthy-is Hyde Park's Elisabet Ney Museum, which chronicles the life and works of this German-born sculptress. The museum, which is set within her former studio FORMOSA, contains an impressive array of her marble masterpieces in storage, including sculptures of Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin. The Austin History Center, which is archived within the 1933 Italian Renaissance building, contains thousands of photographs and manuscripts that track Austin's development. The Center has more than one million historic photographs, 150,000 architectural drawings, and scores of personal papers from Austin's most influential families. But it's for far more than its archives that the center functions as a sort of community gathering space, with an endless series of exhibits and learning events to make the story of Austin spring to life.
Diversity of Architectural
From National Folk style homes to mid-century Modern landmarks, the architectural topography of Austin reflects the diverse history it begets. The on Bob Harrison Street speaks about the compelling story of working-class families in the Segregation Era, Austin, whereas the Travis County Fire Control Team Operations Center reflects commitment to public service.
These historic sites stand as a test of time while Austin continues to grow and evolve. If you want to maintain properties near the historic districts, Sparkly Maid Austin can provide cleaning services with professionalism to retain the charm and character in our city.
