It's no secret that Austin's appearance has changed a fair bit in the past few decades.
Every year, we see a greater number of high rises, condos, and office buildings added to the city's landscape. While it's certainly true that Austin is under a period of intense growth and adjustment, it's important to remember that it has always been changing. Imagine how different the Austin of today is from, say, seventy years ago.
Let's take a look at what some of Austin's most recognizable views looked like in the window of the past.
Some of the present-day photographs of these locations don't look all that different (which is actually kind of comforting in its own way).
See how some locations in Austin have changed (and stayed the same) below.
All present-day photos taken by Roger Ho
UT Tower Under Construction - 1936
UT Tower under construction, photograph, January 31, 1936; (texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth124217/: accessed July 19, 2016), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.
The UT Tower is one of the most iconic buildings in all of Austin. It's a structure that remains an indelible part of the DNA of our city, and our skyline would be far worse for wear without it. Construction on the 30-floor tower began in 1934 and was eventually completed in 1937.
How it looks now...
A Funeral Home On Guadalupe Street - 1947
Douglass, Neal. Building Exterior, photograph, March 13, 1947; (texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth62731/m1/1/?q=funeral%20home: accessed July 26, 2016), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.
This black and white photograph depicts a no longer existing funeral home on Guadalupe St., back in 1947. Among the old-school cars parked out front, you'll also notice a distinct lack of the ever-present traffic congestion that consumes the street these days.
How it looks now...
Barton Springs Pool - 1940s
You can't talk about Austin landmarks without including
Barton Springs Pool in the conversation. The aquifer-fed body of water was once a designated sacred spot for Native Americans living in the area. In the 1920s, the pool as we know it today was constructed by creating sidewalks and damning some of the springs. The above 1940s photo of people lounging in the grass is a familiar sight to anyone who has spent summer days at Barton Springs Pool.
How it looks now...
South of East Riverside, I-35 - 1954
[IH-35 in Austin, TX], photograph, 1954; (texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123914/m1/1/?q=riverside: accessed July 26, 2016), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.
This view from I-35 might not be one of your favorite views in Austin, but there's no denying that it's one that's seared into your memory if you take the highway with any regularity. Beyond being an access point to different parts of the city, it also provides an observer with a keen view of Austin's skyline. This 1954 photo shows a sparsely populated highway with a few buildings in the background.
How it looks now...
Congress Ave. - 1918
Jordan Company. Downtown Austin with Capitol in view, photograph, 1918; (texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth125126/m1/1/?q=congress: accessed July 26, 2016), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.
Congress is arguably the cultural epicenter of Austin, Texas. It's got a direct view of the Capitol, some of the best restaurants and shopping in the city, and it's chock full of more history than a museum. This photograph is from all the way back in 1918 and shows how relatively scant the area was back in the day.
How it looks now...
Stephen F. Austin Hotel - 1947
Stephen F. Austin Hotel, photograph, March 17, 1947; (texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth125165/m1/1/: accessed July 26, 2016), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.
Not everyone has had the pleasure of staying at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel, but most of us have at least passed by it at some point. In fact, there was a time when it was one of the taller, more impressive buildings in immediate view. It's looking a little smaller in our current age of skyscrapers, but the Stephen F. Austin's real charm has always been its lavish interior.
How it looks now...
Paramount and Stateside Theatres - 1930's
Photo courtesy of https://www.preservationaustin.org
The Paramount and Stateside Theatres have a staggering amount of history behind them. Over the course of a century, the venerable theatres have played host to hundreds upon hundreds of different music acts, comedians, speakers, and films. From Harry Houdini to Former President Barack Obama, The Paramount and Stateside Theatres are a constant source of entertainment and pride for Austin.
How it looks now...
