20 Photos of Austin, TX from Before You Were Born

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 01/17/2025 in wow

In December of 1839, Austin was founded to be the capital of the Republic of Texas. Although it is now the capital of just Texas, the city has slowly grown into one of the more hopping and desirable metropolitan areas in the country.

But what did it look like before you were born?

Here are 20 vintage photos of Austin, Texas, to help you find out.

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1. Austin
In the 1970s.
2. Texas Capitol Building
From Littlefield Fountain, University of Texas at Austin, February 4, 1949.
3. A Man Walking on a Tightrope
Between buildings above a street in Austin, Texas, 1867.
4. Delta Delta Delta Sorority Sisters
University of Texas, Austin, 1944.
5. Looking East
The intersection of I-35 and highway 290 in Austin Texas, 1950s.
6. Elsner Service Station
Austin, Texas, 1955.
7. 200 East 6th Street
Austin, Texas, 1866.
8. Diner
Austin, Texas, 1963.
9. Fire
A crowd watching the temporary Texas state capitol building burning down, Austin, 1899.
10. Two Brothers Saloon
Austin, Texas in the early 1900s.
11. Austin’s Capital Building
Dusk, 1949.
12. The Regulars
Playing dominoes in the back room of the "My Place" Bar in Austin, Texas in 1978.
13. Teller in the First National Bank of Austin
Approximately 1910.
14. Littlefield Fountain
And the Tower, University of Texas at Austin, 1949.
15. “My Grandmother and Her Fiancé”
UT Austin. 1940s.
16. Austin, Texas
Summer of 1972.
17. Workers Gathered Around The Goddess of Liberty Statue
Before it was placed upon the Texas State Capitol Building in Austin, TX. 1888.
18. Nixon With Lyndon Johson
Outside the LBJ Library in Austin, Texas. Photo by Jack E. Kightlinger, 1971.
19. Texas State Capitol
Under construction, Austin, Texas, circa 1886.
20. What is Now The Jackalope Bar
Austin, TX. 1900.

1. Austin
In the 1970s.
2. Texas Capitol Building
From Littlefield Fountain, University of Texas at Austin, February 4, 1949.
3. A Man Walking on a Tightrope
Between buildings above a street in Austin, Texas, 1867.
4. Delta Delta Delta Sorority Sisters
University of Texas, Austin, 1944.
5. Looking East
The intersection of I-35 and highway 290 in Austin Texas, 1950s.
6. Elsner Service Station
Austin, Texas, 1955.
7. 200 East 6th Street
Austin, Texas, 1866.
8. Diner
Austin, Texas, 1963.
9. Fire
A crowd watching the temporary Texas state capitol building burning down, Austin, 1899.
10. Two Brothers Saloon
Austin, Texas in the early 1900s.
11. Austin’s Capital Building
Dusk, 1949.
12. The Regulars
Playing dominoes in the back room of the "My Place" Bar in Austin, Texas in 1978.
13. Teller in the First National Bank of Austin
Approximately 1910.
14. Littlefield Fountain
And the Tower, University of Texas at Austin, 1949.
15. “My Grandmother and Her Fiancé”
UT Austin. 1940s.
16. Austin, Texas
Summer of 1972.
17. Workers Gathered Around The Goddess of Liberty Statue
Before it was placed upon the Texas State Capitol Building in Austin, TX. 1888.
18. Nixon With Lyndon Johson
Outside the LBJ Library in Austin, Texas. Photo by Jack E. Kightlinger, 1971.
19. Texas State Capitol
Under construction, Austin, Texas, circa 1886.
20. What is Now The Jackalope Bar
Austin, TX. 1900.