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

The Zilker Eagle in a vintage, black and white photo with a visible skyline.

City

All about Zilker Park’s mini-train, the Zilker Eagle

The train has been out of commission since 2019 and delayed re-opening for nearly four years, but the Zilker Eagle could come back this year

August 14, 2023

Laura Figi

The Texas School for the Deaf campus, with a tree in the foreground overhanging a blue sky.

Culture

The Texas School for the Deaf’s humble beginnings and strong legacy

The state’s oldest continually operating public school fought almost a century to become a certified educational institution.

August 7, 2023

London Gibson

A grainy photo of the first ever Whole Foods Market

Business

Austin Made: Whole Foods Market survived a flood to become an international presence

Here’s how the grocery chain rose to prominence in the world of healthy shopping.

August 1, 2023

London Gibson

A close up of a breakfast taco from Cenote.

Food

The delicious history of breakfast tacos

You know them, you love them, but where were our beloved breakfast tacos invented? The answer may confuse you.

July 5, 2023

Laura Figi

The Paramount Theater sign, as seen from the street below.

Culture

The mysterious vanishing of the Paramount Theatre’s 1930s-era sign

The Paramount Theatre sign we know and love is a recreation of a 1930s era sign that mysteriously disappeared in the 1960s.

June 26, 2023

London Gibson

The National Water Ski Kite Flying Champonships on July 30-31, 1970. The championship was held on Austin's Town Lake during the Austin Aqua Festival, a 10 day celebration featuring water sports. The contestants must fly a slalom course marked by distinctive water geysers, an innovation of the Austin Ski and Boat Club. The Hotel Gondolier is visible in the background as the competitor is pulled behind a speed boat in the air with skis and a kite

Events

Entering the splash zone: The history of Austin Aqua Festival

We’re talking about the city’s first major festival, Austin Aqua Festival, which ran for 36 years.

June 21, 2023

Laura Figi

The exterior of a Vietnames church at Camp Lucy.

Culture

She found her passion through a rom-com. Then, she lived one.

Wedding planning helped Kim Hanks, co-owner of Camp Lucy and Whim Hospitality, both build a business in Dripping Springs and find her husband.

June 19, 2023

London Gibson

A view of the Henry Green Madison Cabin, which sits behind a large tree.

City

The Henry Green Madison Cabin’s restoration project is underway

The Henry Green Madison Cabin will undergo a renovation project to the tune of at least $85,000 to preserve the site for future generations.

June 15, 2023

Laura Figi

Culture

13 ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Austin

From festivals to panels and Black-led markets, here are more than a dozen ways to commemorate Juneteenth in Austin this weekend.

June 14, 2023

London Gibson

Leslie Cochran stands on a bike wearing a black crop top, raccoon hat, and pearl necklace.

Culture

Remembering Leslie Cochran, the “Queen of Austin”

Let’s get to know a bit about this local legend, who was famous as an advocate for the unhoused and being his most authentic self.

June 9, 2023

Laura Figi