Bluebonnet Tourist Camp
a.k.a. Blue Bonnet Court
4407 Guadalupe St., Austin, TXBuilt in 1929, the Bluebonnet Tourist Camp is a small 1-story complex consisting of 11 semi-attached units. The building has changed little since its completion. It fronts onto the 4400 block of Guadalupe in a predominately commercial area of Hyde Park.
Arranged around an open courtyard, the tourist camp is comprised of two detached buildings. Each contains a series of small 1-room units separated by covered spaces in which to park automobiles. Of frame construction, the buildings are generally rectangular in plan and are surmounted by low-pitched, front-gabled roofs. The primary (west) facades face Guadalupe Street and are fronted with petrified rock, a popular local building trend in the late 1920s and 1930s. Walls on the courtyard side are sheathed in 117/121 wood siding, while those exterior walls are clad in asbestos siding that is nearly obscured by vegetation and new construction on adjacent lots. Each "camp" includes a single room marked by a single door and paired double-hung wood sash with 4/4 lights.
A unique example of its property type in Hyde Park, the Bluebonnet Tourist Camp was constructed during the period of greatest building activity in Hyde Park. Built on the primary route to cities north of Austin, the tourist camp developed to serve increasing number of tourists who came to Central Texas to take advantage of recreational opportunities afforded by the lakes being dammed by Depression-era public works projects. Although numerous courts and campgrounds were constructed in Austin during the 1930s, the Bluebonnet Tourist Camp remains the only example surviving in Austin of such facilities built before 1930. Renamed the Blue Bonnet Court about 1939, it was a neighborhood institution owned and occupied by Hyde Park residents for nearly three decades following its completion. Although it has suffered from deterioration since conversion to apartments, the tourist camp retains a high degree of its historic integrity. It is therefore nominated for its local architectural significance under Criterion C.
Held by the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Land Co. until purchased by the Hall family in 1925, the lots at 4113 Guadalupe changed hands rapidly in the subsequent years, remaining unimproved until purchased by Beth Lucas for $1000 on February 9, 1929 (DR 372:626,628; 416:452; 433:391). Perhaps in anticipation of increased traffic generated by the paving of Guadalupe Street in 1930, Beth and Joseph Lucas hired Brydson Lumber Co. on February 25, 1929, to build "camphouses and garages" for $2500 (Mechanics' Liens 453:522). Living on the premises, the Lucases ran the Bluebonnet Tourist Camp until June 26, 1937, when they sold the property to John A. and Marie Q. Maige (DR 568:184). The Maiges also lived at the camp, which they renamed the Blue Bonnet Court about 1939 (Austin City Directories 1930-1958). In 1958 they sold the property to the current owner. The complex has retained its historic fabric, despite conversion to apartments.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
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.
Texas was once an independent country: After winning its independence from Mexico in 1836, Texas became its own country, known as the Republic of Texas. It existed as an independent nation for nine years before being annexed by the United States in 1845.
European exploration of the region began in the 17th century when Spanish explorers ventured into what is now Travis County. However, it was not until the early 19th century that permanent settlements were established. In 1835, the area became part of the Republic of Texas after gaining independence from Mexico, and the county was officially created in 1840.
Travis County was named after William Barret Travis, a Texas Revolution hero who commanded the Texan forces during the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. Throughout the 19th century, the county experienced significant growth and development, driven by factors such as the arrival of immigrants, the expansion of the railroad, and the establishment of institutions like the University of Texas at Austin in 1883.
During the 20th century, Travis County continued to evolve and modernize. Austin, the county seat and state capital, grew into a vibrant and culturally diverse city, known for its live music scene, technological innovations, and progressive policies. The county became a center for government, education, and business, attracting a wide range of industries and residents.
Today, Travis County is one of the most populous and economically vibrant counties in Texas. It is home to a diverse population and a wide range of cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities. The county's history, coupled with its present-day dynamism, contributes to its unique character and makes it a significant region in the Lone Star State.
Travis County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Travis County, Texas.
- Pre-19th Century: The area that would become Travis County was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Tonkawa and Lipan Apache.
1691: Spanish explorers, including Domingo Terán de los Ríos and Alonso de León, explored the region.
1835: Texas Revolution against Mexico begins, and the area becomes part of the Republic of Texas.
1839: Waterloo, a small village settled near the Colorado River, is selected as the site for the new capital of the Republic of Texas.
1840: Travis County is officially established and named after William Barret Travis, a hero of the Texas Revolution.
1842: The capital is officially named Austin after Stephen F. Austin, "The Father of Texas."
1871: The Houston and Texas Central Railway reaches Austin, facilitating transportation and spurring growth.
1883: The University of Texas at Austin is founded.
1891: The Texas State Capitol building, an iconic landmark, is completed.
1930s-1940s: The construction of dams, including Mansfield Dam and Tom Miller Dam, on the Colorado River provides flood control and creates Lake Travis and Lake Austin, respectively.
1970s-1990s: Austin experiences significant growth and becomes known for its live music scene, technology industry, and progressive culture.
2000s-Present: Travis County continues to grow in population and economic significance, with Austin being recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.