A Brief History of Austin Texas

Austin is the most cosmopolitan city in Texas. Known for music, a world-class ballet and world-class museums, it's also home to one-of-a-kind shopping, outdoor spaces and an incredible food scene. 

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Founded in 1871, Austin's growth began with the arrival of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad and the construction of a permanent bridge across the Colorado River. The new rail connection made Austin a trading centre and helped turn the town into a booming commercial hub.

The first city plan was drawn up by Judge Edwin Waller and laid out a series of 14 blocks along a grand avenue, known as Congress Street, running from Capitol Square to the Colorado River. Many of the original structures still stand.

As Austin developed, it became the center of the state's political life. Its central location and proximity to the capital of Texas allowed the Texas legislature to conduct its business in Austin.

It also served as the political center of the Texas Republic, a short-lived government that lasted only two years before it was dethroned by the United States. In the late 1850s, after the Mexican-American War, Texas became a state and Austin was named its capital.

A city of enlightened leaders, Austin became a model for urban planning and development throughout the country. In 1928 the city fathers developed a comprehensive city plan to develop its strengths as a residential, cultural, and educational center. They raised funds for streets, sewers, parks, and a public library.

Despite Austin's reputation as a forward-thinking city, racial relations between Blacks and Whites were still segregated in the early twentieth century. The city's 1928 city plan encouraged the concentration of Black residences in a neighborhood called East Austin, and the city implemented an ordinance requiring separate compartments on streetcars.

As the 1950s and 1960s passed, a renewed attack on segregation by local Black leaders and political-action groups led to gradual integration of Austin's schools and services. In 1956 the University of Texas became the first major university in the South to admit Blacks as undergraduates, and in the early 1960s Black students staged demonstrations against segregated lunch counters and restaurants.

In the 1990s, with a growing high-technology industry, Austin experienced dramatic growth. Today, the metro area has over a million residents and is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country.

With its friendly and diverse population, Austin is an ideal place for creatives to practice their craft. Its open-mindedness encourages people to express their inner self through art, fashion, music and more.

The city's many arts venues offer an endless array of opportunities for people to express their creativity. There are also plenty of festivals that take place in the area, including SXSW, the country's premier music festival.

Another reason that so many people move to Austin is its lack of state income taxes, which can make a big difference for retirees. This makes moving to Austin much more affordable.

Whether you're a single person or a family, there are tons of different types of jobs available in Austin. From technology and knowledge workers to sales, real estate, and finance, there are a variety of options available for a successful career in Austin.