Anyone who’s lived in Austin for longer than five years can attest to the rapid change sweeping through this city. Sometimes, it feels like the only constant thing in this city is the construction crane. Even the photos from Austin in the ’70s are hardly recognizable, so it’s hard to imagine what this city looked like in the early 1900s. This is what Austin looked like 100 years ago, and it may surprise you.
- Enchanted Rock
Wikimedia Commons Enchanted Rock is more than a million years old, so it shows no drastic sign of change. Thankfully, this humongous pink granite dome in Llano County stands just as majestic as ever.
- Barton Springs Pool
Public Domain/Wikipedia Barton Springs Pool has been an Austin staple for more than a hundred years, but it’s gone through many changes. You won’t see the iconic diving board or horde of hippies in this photo from 1900, but the clear, cold water remains.
- Downtown Austin
Wikimedia Commons In 1867, a tightrope walker tiptoed across downtown Austin. The wide streets are filled with fascinated onlookers.
- Sixth Street
The Driskill/Facebook This old building might look familiar to you. That’s right; these arched windows belong to the famous Driskill Hotel. Though this stunning building has gone through many renovations throughout the years, you can still see the striking architectural layout.
- The Driskill Hotel
The Driskill/Facebook The interior of The Driskill Hotel has changed quite a bit, too. In this photo, you’ll see an elegant lobby display.
- The Paramount Theatre
Paramount Theatre/Facebook The Paramount Theatre is another historic building that’s stood proudly in Austin for decades. The above photo shows the first version of this business, The Majestic Theatre, in the year 1925.
- Congress Ave
Rory Dillo/Flickr In the 1800s, it was illegal to build a structure taller than the Texas State Capitol within the city limits. This way, you could see the stunning building from every angle in town. It’s safe to say that, nowadays, this is no longer the case.
- Drug store
Wikimedia Commons This photo shows Eisenbeiser’s Grocery Store in the early 1900s. You don’t see rustic, family-owned grocery stores like this anymore.
- Mount Bonnell
Wikimedia Commons Much like Enchanted Rock, Mount Bonnell’s epic beauty has not changed much. This is still one of the best places to watch an Austin sunset, but now you’ll also take in the views of the massive mansions below.
- Scholz Garten
O. Henry Museum/Facebook As the oldest restaurant in Texas, Scholz Garten has seen its fair share of history. If you walk by 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, you can still see this original layout, but this local watering hole has definitely grown throughout the years.
Change is inevitable, but some of these old Austin photos are almost unrecognizable. If you want to take a walk down memory lane, check out these 9 things you can’t do in Austin anymore, but wish you could.
Wikimedia Commons
Enchanted Rock is more than a million years old, so it shows no drastic sign of change. Thankfully, this humongous pink granite dome in Llano County stands just as majestic as ever.
Public Domain/Wikipedia
Barton Springs Pool has been an Austin staple for more than a hundred years, but it’s gone through many changes. You won’t see the iconic diving board or horde of hippies in this photo from 1900, but the clear, cold water remains.
In 1867, a tightrope walker tiptoed across downtown Austin. The wide streets are filled with fascinated onlookers.
The Driskill/Facebook
This old building might look familiar to you. That’s right; these arched windows belong to the famous Driskill Hotel. Though this stunning building has gone through many renovations throughout the years, you can still see the striking architectural layout.
The interior of The Driskill Hotel has changed quite a bit, too. In this photo, you’ll see an elegant lobby display.
Paramount Theatre/Facebook
The Paramount Theatre is another historic building that’s stood proudly in Austin for decades. The above photo shows the first version of this business, The Majestic Theatre, in the year 1925.
Rory Dillo/Flickr
In the 1800s, it was illegal to build a structure taller than the Texas State Capitol within the city limits. This way, you could see the stunning building from every angle in town. It’s safe to say that, nowadays, this is no longer the case.
This photo shows Eisenbeiser’s Grocery Store in the early 1900s. You don’t see rustic, family-owned grocery stores like this anymore.
Much like Enchanted Rock, Mount Bonnell’s epic beauty has not changed much. This is still one of the best places to watch an Austin sunset, but now you’ll also take in the views of the massive mansions below.
O. Henry Museum/Facebook
As the oldest restaurant in Texas, Scholz Garten has seen its fair share of history. If you walk by 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, you can still see this original layout, but this local watering hole has definitely grown throughout the years.
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