Sixth and Congress, date unknown Credit: Austin History Center

When I first moved here, the old-school Austin test was based on how many shows you attended at Liberty Lunch. The Austin History Center has us all beat with photographic evidence to prove it.


Tightrope walker John Devier on Congress Avenue, 1867 Credit: Austin History Center

Browse online through a handful of collections with photos from the 19th century through the 1980s, including the Neal Douglass collection (The Austin American-Statesman‘s first photographer).

You can also purchase prints for $30 plus tax, including this amazing capture of the May 4, 1922, tornado:


May 4, 1922, tornado Credit: Austin History Center

Browsing the portraits in the Hubert Jones Glass Plate Negative Collection is quite entertaining – especially the facial hair on the men.


This guy would kill at the Misprint Beard & Moustache Competition Credit: Austin History Center

Now, get to browsing or go for a visit!


Fulton’s Ice Cream Parlor, March 20, 1897 Credit: Austin History Center

This article appears in June 8 • 2012.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US