Local History of Austin, Texas

Culture

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.

August 21, 2025 01:00 PM

Laura Figi

A copy of "The Which Way Tree" on a table in front of Hill Country foliage.

Culture

Journeying through Texas history with Elizabeth Crook

We sat down with the acclaimed Austin author to discuss her inspiration, her passion for Texas, and her upcoming novel.

November 1, 2023

London Gibson

Events

How to celebrate Dia de los Muertos 2023 in Austin

Celebrate the Day of the Dead in Austin with parades, live music, ofrendas, tamales, crafts, movies, and more through the weekend.

October 31, 2023

Laura Figi

Buford Tower in Downtown Austin, with the sun setting to the left.

City

Buford Tower repairs complete two years after fire damage

The historic fire drill tower in Downtown Austin has been restored with new windows and updates to its brick and concrete plinth.

October 30, 2023

London Gibson

Culture

Austin may have been the first US city to have a serial killer

We’re looking back on the horrifying murders of women in 1880s Austin.

October 24, 2023

London Gibson

A sign reading "Watch for Water on Road"

Weather

Why Central Texas is known as ‘Flash Flood Alley’

We’re talking about how Austin earned the nickname Flash Flood Alley and became the Flash Flood Capital of the US.

October 9, 2023

Laura Figi

Parks and Recreation

The life and times of Flo, Barton Springs’ most famous tree

Before the Austin community bids Flo adieu, let’s talk about why this tree means so much to locals.

October 3, 2023

Laura Figi

A closeup of loblolly pine trees, with blue sky in the background.

Travel and Outdoors

Smelling the “Lost Pines” at Bastrop State Park

As part of our journey to visit eight local state parks, we recently spent a morning east of Austin, in Bastrop’s loblolly pine forest.

September 26, 2023

London Gibson

A crowd milling about beneath a dinosaur skeleton.

Culture

The Texas Science & Natural History Museum reopens

Austin’s only museum for natural history has re-opened its doors after 18 months of renovations.

September 24, 2023

London Gibson

Rogers Hornsby holds a baseball bat and looks off near the camera in a black and white photo.

Sports

Austin’s connection to Rogers Hornsby, one of baseball’s greatest hitters

The National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee briefly lived in Austin and was laid to rest in the Hornsby Cemetery.

August 23, 2023

London Gibson

Inside a cave, with lights highlighting the craggy interior.

Travel and Outdoors

Spelunking through crystal caverns at Longhorn Cavern State Park

The Hill Country site was once home to an underground dance hall, an ancient river, and a church.

August 15, 2023

London Gibson