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Flashback Friday: Learn about the hundreds of historical markers in Austin

Let’s take a deeper dive into some of Austin’s historical markers, the significance they hold, and how long they’ve been standing.

ATX_WatersParkHistoricalMarker

Granite from the train derailment still lies by the tracks. | Photo by ATXtoday

576. That’s how many Historical Markers and War Memorials exist in Travis County, according to The Historical Marker Database. How many of them do you know about?

Figi here. I get a kick out of finding and reading historical marker plaques around town, so I want to share a new one with you on Flashback Fridays.

Let’s look back in the history books.

The front of the Broken Spoke

Test out your square dancing moves at one of Austin’s most famous honky tonks.

Photo by @sunshine.standards

Broken Spoke | Erected in 2021
A relative newcomer to the list, this time-honored dance hall was founded by Austin native James M. White in 1964. Over the years, the honky-tonk has hired local musicians and country music legends (like Bob Wills and Ernest Tubb), been featured in TV and movies, earned its own documentary, and made a cameo in “Queer Eye.”

Backstage at ACL Live. A large room with posters, gear, desks, and a lounge.

By the way, you can take a backstage tour of ACL Live at the Moody Theater.

Gif by ATXtoday

Austin City Limits | Erected in 2009
Gifted to Austin by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, this marker recognizes “Austin City Limits” as the longest-running music series in American television history, which has been running since October 1974 and helped solidify the Capital City as “Live Music Capital of the World.”

moonlight tower

Did you know Austin’s moonlight towers are the only surviving examples of these tower lighting systems, which were common across the country in the late 1800s?

Photo by ATXtoday

Austin’s Moonlight Towers | Erected in 1993
Though many cities across the US had moontowers, Austin is the only city where you can still see them standing today. Of the 31 that were installed in 1895, 17 still stand in various locations around town.

ATX_UILMarker.JPG

You can find this marker in front of the UIL office on Manor Road. | Photo by ATXtoday

University Interscholastic League | Erected in 2009
Those who went to school in Texas are likely familiar with UIL: a league that provides students an avenue for fair athletic and academic competition from the district to the statewide level. This marker commemorates two academic groups — the Debating League of Texas High Schools and the Interscholastic Athletic Association — coming together to create UIL in 1913. In just four years, UIL became the largest interscholastic league and helped inform similar organizations in other states. These days, more than half a million students compete in UIL each year.

Figi here — UIL was a huge part of my high school education. I competed in feature, headline, and editorial writing for the journalism program throughout my time at Vandegrift High School.

Waters Park | Erected in 1996
Initially a “multi-ethnic community” north of Austin in the 19th century, Waters Park was built along the Austin & Northwestern Railroad. The rail was used to transport the pink granite used to construct the Texas Capitol, and if you look behind the tracks, you’ll see enormous chunks of granite that have been there likely since the late 1880s due to a train derailment. The tracks are now used as part of CapMetro’s Red Line.

Do you know of a historical marker you would like to share? Drop me a line.

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