Old West Austin Historic District
Roughly bounded by W. 13th, Lamar Blvd., W. 35th and Mo-Pac Expy., Austin, TXThe Old West Austin Historic District is a historic district in Austin, Texas that encompasses three suburbs platted in more than forty subdivisions that wind between Shoal Creek and the MoPac Expressway from 13th to 35th Streets, northwest of downtown Austin.
The Old West Austin Historic District encompasses three suburbs platted in more than forty subdivisions that wind between Shoal Creek and the MoPac Expressway from 13th to 35th Streets, northwest of downtown Austin, Texas. As a well-preserved collection of early- to mid-twentieth-century residences, the historic district evokes the measured spread of suburban development that paralleled the city's steady growth. The streetcar had propelled earlier local suburban development, but Enfield, Pemberton Heights, and Bryker Woods were the city's first automobile suburbs. These residential areas, developed between 1886 and 1953, appealed to middle- and upper-class home buyers who sought escape from the city and large, lush lots with a mixture of architectural forms and styles. An important component of the historic district is Pease Park, established in 1875 and later expanded as the City of Austin undertook a parks program, which defines the district's east boundary.
A variety of architectural styles and influences are evident in the Old West Austin Historic District, based on trends in architectural design. Styles represented include Colonial Revival, Classical Revival, Tudor Revival, Mission/Spanish Colonial Revivals, Prairie School, Bungalow/Craftsman, Moderne, International, and Ranch. Many prominent architects designed homes in the historic district, several of whom had national reputations. The period of significance extends back to 1853 so as to incorporate Woodlawn, an Abner-Cook-designed plantation home that several Texas governors have resided in, and a few additional Contributing buildings that date to the late nineteenth century.
The historic district is evaluated within the context of Suburban Development in Texas and nominated at the local level of significance under Criterion A in the area of Community Planning and Development for its associations with suburban planning and design. The district also meets Criterion A in the area of Entertainment/Recreation for its associations with the development and design of municipal parks in Austin during the early- to mid-twentieth centuries. As well, the district meets Criterion C in the area of Architecture for its eclectic collection of suburban dwellings that reflected popular contemporaneous architectural influences.
Modern-day West Austin includes a considerably larger portion of the city than it did historically. The earliest area of suburban development west of the city limits has become known locally as old West Austin, which is roughly defined as the area between Shoal Creek and the MoPac Expressway from 12th to 35th Streets.
Suburban development to the west and north of this area generally began later and, while it can be considered part of modern-day West Austin, was not part of the earlier-developed old West Austin.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.