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What Austin, Texas looked like in the 1950s

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In the 1950s, several research laboratories and think tanks were founded in Austin, attracting high-tech companies and innovative thinkers to the region. The Austin economy flourished, attracting even more modern amenities to the area. Several movie theaters opened, as well as public swimming pools, a branch library system, and a professional baseball team.

Austin’s rapid growth was primarily attributed to its traditional strengths — education and government. Austin’s ethnic relations also began to change during the 1950s. The first step was a sustained attack on segregation. Local black leaders and political action groups desegregated schools and services in the city. The University of Texas became the first major southern university to admit black students in 1956.

During the 1950s, Austin’s population grew, and lifestyle changes created a higher electricity demand: washing machines, dishwashers, and televisions became more prevalent, and air conditioning became more common. Austin built the Seaholm Power Plant in 1948, referred to as Power Plant No. 2 at the time, to meet the post-World War II electrical demand. In 1950 and 1955, two phases of the power plant were built on the north shore of Lady Bird Lake, just west of the city’s steam plant. The three buildings on site – the Turbine Generator Building, Water Intake Structure, and Oil Heating Plant – were constructed with solid concrete and decorated in the Art Deco style.

These fascinating vintage photos will take you back to 1950s Austin.

#4 Inauguration Day parade held in front of the Capitol building in Austin, 1953

Inauguration Day parade held in front of the Capitol building in Austin, 1953

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#5 Aerial view of Austin with the Tower and Capitol barely visible in the background, 1953

Aerial view of Austin with the Tower and Capitol barely visible in the background, 1953

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#6 From the southeast of the State Capitol, an aerial shot of downtown Austin, The Driskill, Captiol and UT Tower all in view, 1959

From the southeast of the State Capitol, an aerial shot of downtown Austin, The Driskill, Captiol and UT Tower all in view, 1959

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#10 A line of men, women, and children at the Adams Extract factory open house, 1956

A line of men, women, and children at the Adams Extract factory open house, 1956

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#13 The exterior of Austin Motel, located at 1220 South Congress Avenue. There is a large swimming pool in front of the building, 1955

The exterior of Austin Motel, located at 1220 South Congress Avenue. There is a large swimming pool in front of the building, 1955

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#18 Six men seated around a small table. 5th from left is then Senator Lyndon Johnson, 1953

Six men seated around a small table. 5th from left is then Senator Lyndon Johnson, 1953

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#20 Directly south of the State Capitol and above Congress Ave., Shot of downtown Austin with The Driskill, Captiol, and UT Tower in view, 1959

Directly south of the State Capitol and above Congress Ave., Shot of downtown Austin with The Driskill, Captiol, and UT Tower in view, 1959

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#21 Lobby and registration desk at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel, located at 701 Congress Avenue, 1950

Lobby and registration desk at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel, located at 701 Congress Avenue, 1950

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#22 Stark shot of the UT Tower lit up at night on 21st street, 1957

Stark shot of the UT Tower lit up at night on 21st street, 1957

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#25 Aerial view of Austin Power Plant Construction, 1959

Aerial view of Austin Power Plant Construction, 1959

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#26 Men working in a shop for the construction of the new Austin American-Statesman building. Austin, Texas, 1953

Men working in a shop for the construction of the new Austin American-Statesman building. Austin, Texas, 1953

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#28 The front of the Capitol building in Austin, 1954

The front of the Capitol building in Austin, 1954

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#32 The Austin Tropic Shop furniture store. There are numerous types of rattan furniture on display, 1950

The Austin Tropic Shop furniture store. There are numerous types of rattan furniture on display, 1950

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#33 View of Austin Laundry & Dry Cleaning Company, 1951

View of Austin Laundry & Dry Cleaning Company, 1951

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#34 Austin Savings and Loan Assosciation Building, 1951

Austin Savings and Loan Assosciation Building, 1951

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#35 The 800 blocks of E. 4th Street looking east. Austin Pipe & Supply Co. is on the south side of the street, 1959

The 800 blocks of E. 4th Street looking east. Austin Pipe & Supply Co. is on the south side of the street, 1959

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#36 Construction of the control tower at Mueller Municipal Airport in Austin, Texas, 1960

Construction of the control tower at Mueller Municipal Airport in Austin, Texas, 1960

There is scaffolding around the concrete interior support structure, and board formwork is in place for pouring a flared level near the top of the tower.

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#39 People wading and floating in the water at Lake Austin Beach, 1956

People wading and floating in the water at Lake Austin Beach, 1956

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#40 Men and women of the South Austin Civic Club meet for an unknown event, 1955

Men and women of the South Austin Civic Club meet for an unknown event, 1955

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#41 View of one building which houses both the Farmers Insurance Group and Austin Savings, 1952

View of one building which houses both the Farmers Insurance Group and Austin Savings, 1952

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#42 The Austin Club lounge with a seating area enclosed in a low brick wall, 1955

The Austin Club lounge with a seating area enclosed in a low brick wall, 1955

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#43 A street-side view of the Austin National Bank with a row of cars parked on the street in front of the building, 1954

A street-side view of the Austin National Bank with a row of cars parked on the street in front of the building, 1954

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#44 Stephen F. Austin State Park (Restored Home of Stephen F. Austin, 1958

Stephen F. Austin State Park (Restored Home of Stephen F. Austin, 1958

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#45 Roof Fire Damage of Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1954

Roof Fire Damage of Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1954

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#46 Top View of Fire Damage on Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1954

Top View of Fire Damage on Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1954

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#47 Front View of Fire Damage to Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1954

Front View of Fire Damage to Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1954

Through the large facade window there is roof damage and smoke rising. To the left side towards the ground are fire hoses and ladders leaning on the church.

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#50 Bank of Austin (more distant), President R M McKee, East Oltorf St., 1957

Bank of Austin (more distant), President R M McKee, East Oltorf St., 1957

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#53 Exterior view of a Baptist Church in South Austin, 1957

Exterior view of a Baptist Church in South Austin, 1957

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#54 North Austin Fire Station No. 16 at 7000 Reese Lane at its intersection with Cullen Avenue, 1957

North Austin Fire Station No. 16 at 7000 Reese Lane at its intersection with Cullen Avenue, 1957

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#55 Entrance and parking lot of the Country Club of Austin, located on East Riverside Drive on the east end of Felix Avenue, 1953

Entrance and parking lot of the Country Club of Austin, located on East Riverside Drive on the east end of Felix Avenue, 1953

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#56 The Daughters of the American Revolution (Thankful Hubbard Chapter) headquarters at 708 San Antonio Street in Austin, Texas, 1953

The Daughters of the American Revolution (Thankful Hubbard Chapter) headquarters at 708 San Antonio Street in Austin, Texas, 1953

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#57 Anderson’s Gulf Service Station and crew located on the 1700 block of East 12th Street, 1956

Anderson's Gulf Service Station and crew located on the 1700 block of East 12th Street, 1956

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#61 View of ballroom and dance floor. The country club was located at 5712 Riverside Dr., 1950

View of ballroom and dance floor. The country club was located at 5712 Riverside Dr., 1950

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#62 Interior view of room with tables and chairs. The County Club was on Montopolis Rd. (Riverside Drive), 1950

Interior view of room with tables and chairs. The County Club was on Montopolis Rd. (Riverside Drive), 1950

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#63 Men in discussion at table, probably administrators, 1958

Men in discussion at table, probably administrators, 1958

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#64 View looking south of UT Tower on South Mall, facing further on to Downtown Austin, 1958

View looking south of UT Tower on South Mall, facing further on to Downtown Austin, 1958

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#65 Aerial shot of cranes and scaffolding at TEC construction site. 15th Street, 1958

Aerial shot of cranes and scaffolding at TEC construction site. 15th Street, 1958

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#66 Austin Skyline (closer view) from south of the Colorado River on I-35, 1957

Austin Skyline (closer view) from south of the Colorado River on I-35, 1957

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#67 Aerial shot of finished TEC Building. Brazos St on the lower right and 14th on the lower left, 1958

Aerial shot of finished TEC Building. Brazos St on the lower right and 14th on the lower left, 1958

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#68 Aerial shot of steel frame structure of TEC building. Brazos St is on the lower right and 14th on the lower left, 1958

Aerial shot of steel frame structure of TEC building. Brazos St is on the lower right and 14th on the lower left, 1958

The Swedish Central Methodist Church (State purchased and demolished in the 1950s, as state administration grew and government complex spread). In the center of photograph note steeple of Gethsemane Lutheran Church (15th and Congress; above the TEC building), to the left St. Austin's Catholic Church steeple (20th and Guadalupe) and the Goodall Wooten Dormitory to the right. The University campus on the top right.

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#69 Aerial shot over Colorado River, looking east past Congress Ave. Bridge and Auditorium Shores, 1959

Aerial shot over Colorado River, looking east past Congress Ave. Bridge and Auditorium Shores, 1959

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#70 Aerial shot above the Congress Ave. Bridge and Colorado River looking directly north to Capitol, UT Tower in distance, 1959

Aerial shot above the Congress Ave. Bridge and Colorado River looking directly north to Capitol, UT Tower in distance, 1959

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#71 Aerial shot directly south of Capitol, (farther back) and Austin north of the Colorado River, 1959

Aerial shot directly south of Capitol, (farther back) and Austin north of the Colorado River, 1959

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#72 Exterior of Austin Machine & Supply Co. building, 1957

Exterior of Austin Machine & Supply Co. building, 1957

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#73 Exterior Bank of Austin, close up, President R M McKee, East Oltorf St., 1957

Exterior Bank of Austin, close up, President R M McKee, East Oltorf St., 1957

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#74 Aerial shot facing north of South and Downtown Austin, 1955

Aerial shot facing north of South and Downtown Austin, 1955

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#75 The exterior of the Austin Savings and Loan building, 1951

The exterior of the Austin Savings and Loan building, 1951

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#76 View of construction fencing to the north of the intersection of E. Campus Dr. and 23rd Street, 1951

View of construction fencing to the north of the intersection of E. Campus Dr. and 23rd Street, 1951

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#79 The porch and entrance to St Austin’s Parish School, now St. Austin Catholic School, at 1911 San Antonio St., Austin, 1955

The porch and entrance to St Austin's Parish School, now St. Austin Catholic School, at 1911 San Antonio St., Austin, 1955

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#80 Buildings on a hill northwest of downtown Austin, Texas, 1955

Buildings on a hill northwest of downtown Austin, Texas, 1955

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#81 Fire Damage on Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1954

Fire Damage on Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1954

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#82 Firefighters outside Austin Avenue Methodist Church No. 3, 1954

Firefighters outside Austin Avenue Methodist Church No. 3, 1954

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#83 Firefighters Inside Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1954

Firefighters Inside Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1954

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#84 Firefighters outside Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1954

Firefighters outside Austin Avenue Methodist Church, 1954

In the foreground there is a long water hose in 13th Street that goes up the side steps of the church. Firefighters are standing on the steps of the church facing towards the stained glass windows.

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#87 Men working in shop at Austin American-Statesman, 1953

Men working in shop at Austin American-Statesman, 1953

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#88 Austin Recreation Department, Beverly Sheffield, 1953

Austin Recreation Department, Beverly Sheffield, 1953

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#89 A group of women from the Austin Chapter of Hadassah posing for a photo at a formal gathering, 1954

A group of women from the Austin Chapter of Hadassah posing for a photo at a formal gathering, 1954

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#95 Child with adults at the Austin Cerebral Palsy Center, 1951

Child with adults at the Austin Cerebral Palsy Center, 1951

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#97 Presentation of awards Austin H.S. 4-H Clubs, 1951

Presentation of awards Austin H.S. 4-H Clubs, 1951

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#101 Mrs Brinklehoff – First Austin Policewoman, 1950

Mrs Brinklehoff - First Austin Policewoman, 1950

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#107 The crowning of the 1959 Mid-Texas Milk Producers Association Dairy Princess, 1957

The crowning of the 1959 Mid-Texas Milk Producers Association Dairy Princess, 1957

A group of 17 female contestants stand in a row behind a banquet table with a punch bowl full of milk. All of the contestants pose with glasses of milk in front of a sign that says "June's Best Meals Start With Dairy."

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#108 Exterior of Church, Brazos and 8th St. looking north, 1950s

Exterior of Church, Brazos and 8th St. looking north, 1950s

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#110 Eve Marie Martin and George Martin stand behind the counter in the ABC shop, located at 809 W. 12th St. in Austin, 1951

Eve Marie Martin and George Martin stand behind the counter in the ABC shop, located at 809 W. 12th St. in Austin, 1951

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#112 Looking down train tracks for insurance claim for Tom Davis, 1957

Looking down train tracks for insurance claim for Tom Davis, 1957

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#113 Accident Scene at East 32nd & Red River Streets, 1951

Accident Scene at East 32nd & Red River Streets, 1951

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#117 Aerial view of 919 E. 32nd St. – St. David’s Hospital, 1956

Aerial view of 919 E. 32nd St. - St. David's Hospital, 1956

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#119 An aerial view of construction at the University of Texas, 1954

An aerial view of construction at the University of Texas, 1954

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#121 Aerial view of Jefferson Chemical Plant, Austin, Texas, looking west, 1956

Aerial view of Jefferson Chemical Plant, Austin, Texas, looking west, 1956

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#122 Looking NW from about the north approach from Lamar bridge, 1950

Looking NW from about the north approach from Lamar bridge, 1950

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#123 Aerial view of neighborhood south of the University of Texas in foreground, 1950

Aerial view of neighborhood south of the University of Texas in foreground, 1950

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#125 Aerial view of St. David’s Hospital showing building, parking lot and part of the grounds, 1956

Aerial view of St. David's Hospital showing building, parking lot and part of the grounds, 1956

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#128 Allandale Department Store at Allandale Village, 1951

Allandale Department Store at Allandale Village, 1951

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#132 The American National Bank/Littlefield Building at 601-605 Congress Avenue, 1951

The American National Bank/Littlefield Building at 601-605 Congress Avenue, 1951

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#137 A group of students outside the entrance to Anderson High School, 1956

A group of students outside the entrance to Anderson High School, 1956

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#138 Anderson High School cheerleaders posing on school bleachers, 1955

Anderson High School cheerleaders posing on school bleachers, 1955

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#139 An Anderson High School physical education class, 1955

An Anderson High School physical education class, 1955

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#142 Armed Forces Day Parade down Congress Avenue, 1953

Armed Forces Day Parade down Congress Avenue, 1953

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#143 Armed Forces Day Parade down Congress Avenue, 1953

Armed Forces Day Parade down Congress Avenue, 1953

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#144 Armed Forces Day Parade down Congress Avenue, 1953

Armed Forces Day Parade down Congress Avenue, 1953

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#145 Athol Estes home, 1953

Athol Estes home, 1953

The two-story house is white, and trees and a birdbath are visible on the small front lawn. Two young children hold hands on the front walk.

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#146 Austin Aerials – misc. downtown, auditorium, 1959

Austin Aerials - misc. downtown, auditorium, 1959

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#147 Aerial shot of finished TEC Building. Brazos St on the lower right and 14th on the lower left, 1958

Aerial shot of finished TEC Building. Brazos St on the lower right and 14th on the lower left, 1958

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#148 Aerial shot of cranes and scaffolding at TEC construction site. 15th Street running left to right in center of photograph, 1958

Aerial shot of cranes and scaffolding at TEC construction site. 15th Street running left to right in center of photograph, 1958

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#152 Interior of the Austin Hotel showing the lounge with unidentified guests of the hotel, 1954

Interior of the Austin Hotel showing the lounge with unidentified guests of the hotel, 1954

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#158 Austin State School — students on playground, 1954

Austin State School -- students on playground, 1954

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#161 B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation building, 1950

B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation building, 1950

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#162 View of Baker’s Shoe Store with show windows. Baker’s Shoe Store was located at 708 Congress, 1950

View of Baker's Shoe Store with show windows. Baker's Shoe Store was located at 708 Congress, 1950

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#166 The Beaumont Melody Girls posing around three men and a woman, 1953

The Beaumont Melody Girls posing around three men and a woman, 1953

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#167 Employees loading shelves of medicine at Behrens Drug Co., 5th and Colorado, 1957

Employees loading shelves of medicine at Behrens Drug Co., 5th and Colorado, 1957

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#169 Bergstrom Corporation – Housing Development, 1956

Bergstrom Corporation - Housing Development, 1956

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#170 Exterior view of Bill Benton’s Men’s Clothing Store which was located at 309 W. 5th Street, 1955

Exterior view of Bill Benton's Men's Clothing Store which was located at 309 W. 5th Street, 1955

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#171 Buildings in the 1300 block of Lavaca Street, 1956

Buildings in the 1300 block of Lavaca Street, 1956

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#172 Exterior view of The Bolm Building at 308 W. 15th Street, 1956

Exterior view of The Bolm Building at 308 W. 15th Street, 1956

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#173 Bowl-O-Rama parking lot. Austin, Texas. Located at 517 South Lamar, 1959

Bowl-O-Rama parking lot. Austin, Texas. Located at 517 South Lamar, 1959

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#176 Boys and girls standing at edge of Deep Eddy Pool, 1953

Boys and girls standing at edge of Deep Eddy Pool, 1953

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#178 Bradford’s Paint Company, 1954

Bradford's Paint Company, 1954

The building was located at 4th and Guadalupe. Missouri Pacific railroad tracks are visible in the foreground.

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#179 View of The Brown Building at 708 Colorado, 1954

View of The Brown Building at 708 Colorado, 1954

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#182 L.C. Anderson High School — 1912 Building, 1950

L.C. Anderson High School -- 1912 Building, 1950

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#183 C.B. Smith Motors Used Car lot at 5408 Burnett Road, 1955

C.B. Smith Motors Used Car lot at 5408 Burnett Road, 1955

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#184 C.R. Anthony Co. and Ira A. Prewitt Hardware buildings on street corner, 1950

C.R. Anthony Co. and Ira A. Prewitt Hardware buildings on street corner, 1950

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#185 Looking East from the 1700 block of E. 5th at the railroad tracks at Chicon. C. J. Martin & Sons on the right, 1951

Looking East from the 1700 block of E. 5th at the railroad tracks at Chicon. C. J. Martin & Sons on the right, 1951

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#186 Looking northeast at the building at 114-120 W. 7th St from the intersection of 7th and Colorado St, 1951

Looking northeast at the building at 114-120 W. 7th St from the intersection of 7th and Colorado St, 1951

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#187 Looking northeast at the building at 114-120 W. 7th St from the intersection of 7th and Colorado St. Still under construction. Norwood Tower in view, 1951

Looking northeast at the building at 114-120 W. 7th St from the intersection of 7th and Colorado St. Still under construction. Norwood Tower in view, 1951

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#188 Interiors of building at 114-120 W. 7th St, 1952

Interiors of building at 114-120 W. 7th St, 1952

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#189 Exterior of Capitol Laundry & Cleaning Company, at 801 Barton Springs Road, 1951

Exterior of Capitol Laundry & Cleaning Company, at 801 Barton Springs Road, 1951

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#190 Flatbed truck loaded with crane parked in front of Capitol Machine Works building, on 4824 East 1st Street in Austin, 1951

Flatbed truck loaded with crane parked in front of Capitol Machine Works building, on 4824 East 1st Street in Austin, 1951

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#192 View of Goad Motor Company showroom and lot with cars, 1956

View of Goad Motor Company showroom and lot with cars, 1956

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#193 A car parked in the middle of the intersection of Navasota and Holly, 1954

A car parked in the middle of the intersection of Navasota and Holly, 1954

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#194 Cars in lot next to Slaughters Supermarket, 1958

Cars in lot next to Slaughters Supermarket, 1958

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#197 Checker Front Grocery Store #20 which was located at 5028 Fairview Drive in Highland Park. Kelly Smith Cleaners and Highland Park Pharmacy, 1955

Checker Front Grocery Store #20 which was located at 5028 Fairview Drive in Highland Park. Kelly Smith Cleaners and Highland Park Pharmacy, 1955

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#198 Exterior of Memorial Methodist Church and grounds, 1958

Exterior of Memorial Methodist Church and grounds, 1958

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#199 Interior View of Austin Savings and Loan Association Building Lobby, 1951

Interior View of Austin Savings and Loan Association Building Lobby, 1951

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38 Comments

  5. My grandmother moved here in the late 50’s and still talks about how much sleepier Austin used to be then. For a long time we used to sort of dismiss that as more “past is always greener” discourse until we looked up the census records… ~150k people living here at that time, so she’s seen almost a 10x increase in her lifetime! It’s sort of boggling to imagine until I think about the differences in my own ~30 year history in Austin, although my own childhood memories of the 90s are probably fuzzier than her adult ones of the 50s/60s…

    This set of photos is very cool, and I’m surprised to see that Anderson HS was a Black high school back in the day. By the time my dad went there, it was almost entirely white. In 1968, after the feds came and admonished Austin for not conforming to Brown v Board better, they started bussing in Black & Brown kids to the all-white Anderson High from the closed-down east-side high schools. I wonder if Anderson being a Black school is a relic of the previously-more-integrated Austin? Does anyone know?

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