National Register Listing

Seaholm Power Plant

a.k.a. Power Plant No. 2 & Water Intake Building

800 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX
The Seaholm Power Plant in Austin, Travis County, Texas, was designed by the nationally-recognized Kansas City engineering firm Burns & McDonnell, and constructed in two phases (1951 and 1955) to serve the expanding needs of the city. The complex was built immediately to the west of an earlier city power plant and identified on engineering drawings as “Power Plant No. 2.” In June 1960, the City of Austin renamed the facility in honor of the late Walter E. Seaholm, a prominent figure in the administration of Austin’s municipal utilities from the 1920s until the mid-1950s. The Seaholm Plant is an outstanding example of the Art Moderne architectural style and shares many design elements of the design firm’s other designs for municipal waterworks and powerhouses of the 1930s through the 1950s. Typical of Burns & McDonnell designs, great attention was paid to the massing, scaling, and detailing of Seaholm. This Austin example differs slightly in that it is constructed entirely of site-cast concrete while their other plant examples were of brick cladding over concrete or steel structural systems. The Seaholm Power Plant is nominated at the local level of significance to the National Register under Criterion A in the area of Industry for its association with energy production in the growing city, and Criterion C in the area of Architecture and as an excellent example of late Art Moderne design applied to a concrete electricity-generating plant.
Local significance of the building:
Industry; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

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.

industry architecture
The Texas Rangers, a famous law enforcement agency, were first organized in 1835 to protect settlers from Native American attacks.
Texas random facts
Travis County, Texas, is located in the central part of the state and encompasses the capital city of Austin. The county has a rich history that spans centuries, beginning with the indigenous Native American tribes who inhabited the area long before European settlement.

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.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history 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.