Being the state capital of Texas, also, its fourth most populated city, Austin has its location in the center of the state. The place offers you scenic natural views along with the hustle and bustle of big-city life.
Facts about Austin Texas
Among some facts, everybody knows about the city are that; Austin keeps things weird and it is known as the Live Music Capital of the World.
Along with those, here we present some other facts that you may not have heard about Austin.
1. There Was Waterloo, Then Came Austin
Austin was named Waterloo before it got incorporated in 1836 into the Republic of Texas. It then got renamed for Stephen F. Austin in 1839, after Vice President Mirabeau B. Lamar suggested moving the capital to the Village of Waterloo.
2. Austin Falls as Texas’s Seventh Capital
Being the seventh and final capital state of the young republic, Austin had its status easily changed from Republic capital to state capital in 1848 after the United States annexed Texas. Washington-on-the-Brazos, Harrisburg, Galveston, Velasco, Columbia, and Houston were the previous Texas capitals before Austin.
3. The Only Nude Beach in all of Texas is in Austin
There are no laws in Texas stopping women from going topless in public. Nevertheless, no other city in the state has a place specified for nudity. A beach known as Hippie Hollow, located on Lake Travis is a clothing-optional beach. Austin is pretty liberal even though Texas can all-in-all come off as a conservative state.
4. Austin is home to the Largest Urban Bat Colony in North America
Around 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats are known to migrate to Austin while emerging from under the Congress Avenue Bridge every night. This unique spectacle is observed by both tourists and residents as they excitedly wait for it to happen.
5. The Barton Springs Salamander Resides only in Austin
The Barton Springs salamander whose actual name is Eurycea sosorum can only be found in the Barton Springs of the Edwards Aquifer. Contrary to most salamanders, this endangered species maintains gills throughout its adult life.
6. Eeyore’s Birthday means a Community Party in Austin
Austinites have carried this tradition of gathering on the last Saturday of April to celebrate Eeyore’s birthday, for more than 50 years. Thousands of costumed merrymakers, among which many are musically inclined come together to celebrate this Winnie-the-Pooh-inspired event.
7. Austinites Drink A Lot
If you have had the impression that Austinites drink a lot or drink recklessly, your guess is right. In 2015, Austin was ranked fifth on Men’s Health list of America’s Drunkest Cities. You should just remember to drink responsibly and do not get behind the wheel while you’re drunk.
8. Austin’s Food Truck Scene took place in South Lamar Street
In the early 1990s, a few family-owned taco carts set up shop on South Lamar. They set the construction workers with a shortage of nearby lunch options as their target market. This plan proved to be successful, and the craze that followed after the carts was historic. The number of food trucks in Austin quadrupled between 2010 and 2016. At present, the Texas capital is home to around 2,000 food carts.
9. An Often Homeless Person Contested Austin’s Mayoral Seat
Albert Leslie Cochran, who’s a homeless man with a fondness for being dressed in drag, ran thrice for mayor of Austin. In 2003, Cochran placed second with almost eight percent of the vote. An eager advocate and campaigner for homeless rights, Cochran is said to have inspired and incorporated the “Keep Austin Weird” slogan. Each year on March 8, Austinites celebrate Cochran’s life and legacy. The day has been designated “Leslie Day” by Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell after Cochran passed away in 2012.
10. Austin Holds the Last Remaining Moonlight Towers
Moonlight towers have now fallen aside even though they were once a common source of illumination in the dark. Austin is now the only exception. In 18944, the city bought 31 used moonlight towers from Detroit, and until today, they light up the sky. As the city had spent 3 million replacing bolts and wires in 1993, hoping that the towers would operate for another 100 years. You might recognize the towers in the scene of a kegger in Dazed and Confused.
11. Austin Recently Got Its First Pro Sports Team
It might not even be a surprise that the weirdest city in Texas got a soccer team as their first pro sports team.
You may wonder why not football, basketball, or a nice baseball team. Well, the answer is because those are average American sports, and Austin is not an average American city. Soccer is among the lesser-watched sports in the U.S., and Austin comes off as being home to an MLS team.
12. The Austin Library was in Time Magazine’s List of “World’s Best Places”
This epic library is quite a sight. It took 4 years and $125 million to build it and it consists of a cafe, gift shop, art gallery, and stunning views of the Austin skyline. Not to forget the floating staircase, a 350-seat event center, and a rooftop garden.
13. Austin has a Museum Dedicated to Junk
A favorite of both the residents and tourists, the Cathedral of Junk is located in the backyard of a small house on the south side of Austin. It is formed of things you may consider as junk such as ladders and bicycle parts to even clocks! The best thing about this museum is that you’ll find something new to see on every visit.
14. Austin has a Peculiar Lady Bird Lake
It is still called Town Lake by old-time Austinites, even though in 2007, the name was changed to Lady Bird Lake to honor the former First Lady.
And if you’re thinking of the ordinary then no, this is not an independent lake. It is a portion of a chain of reservoirs on the Colorado River. Lady Bird Lake was established in 1960 when the Longhorn Dam was built. At present, it is a long, 6-mile stretch of water that’s pretty suitable for rowing teams to use early in the morning. There’s also a delightful 10-mile trail that follows around the entire lake.