Welcome to our website where you can learn more about the ongoing grassroots volunteer effort to preserve historic homes in Austin, Texas.

We invite you to stay awhile and view our new photographic journal; included are 41 examples of architecture found in the National Register-eligible Old West Austin Historic District. These homes are located in BrykerWoods, Pemberton, Old Enfield, & Old West Austin neighborhoods, roughly bounded by 35th Street, 12th Street, Loop 1 and Lamar Boulevard. We hope you will enjoy the display and evolution of our neighborhood architecture; starting with the Pease Mansion, built in the Greek Revival style in 1853 as the first home in the Republic of Texas-era Spears League, and continuing through the Ranch style homes of the 40's & 50's.

Since November 2000, your contributions have generously helped us reach our fundraising goal of $50,000, plus $3500 of gifts-in-kind from local businesses. As part of our efforts to educate homeowners about the National Register nomination process, 1800 homeowner brochures were mailed out to each property owner in the District. With our dedicated volunteers clocking over 11,000 hours of service and your tax-deductible donations, we were able to contract with architectural historian Ralph Newlan to prepare the architectural / photographic survey of the District. Historian Amy Dase of Prewitt Associates researched and wrote the history component of the Nomination.

> get the facts, download a OWAHD brochure! [ PDF 156 K ]

Download the map to the right (click on map). Although the PDF file is quite large (4.5 M) the map is scalable, permitting the Acrobat Reader "zoom" feature. The dark colored structures are considered "contributing" properties; these homes are eligible for a National Register plague (click here for details)

Funston Amendment Update > the section of the far northwest section of OWAHD (homes west of Funston Street) originally evaluated to be part of the historic district but left out, is now officially part of the OWAHD! See links below for a map and listing of homes.

• map of amended section showing homes west of Funston (PDF file 1.9M)
• listing of "contributing" homes west of funston (xls file)

Old West Austin Historic District added to the National Register (press release)

The Old West Austin Historic District in Austin was listed recently in the National Register of Historic Places. The Texas Historical Commission assisted in the nomination of this important neighborhood for inclusion in the National Register in recognition of its importance to the history of Austin. The district features 1574 contributing properties. Recognized for their architectural and historical significance, they join other sites in Travis County and around the state with National Register status.

Kerby Lane Village in Bryker Woods

The Old West Austin Historic District encompasses three suburbs platted in more than forty subdivisions that wind between Shoal Creek and the Mo-Pac Expressway from 13th to 35th Streets, northwest of downtown Austin, Texas. As a well-preserved collection of early- to mid-twentieth-century residences, the historic district evokes the measured spread of suburban development that paralleled the city’s steady growth. Houses in the district, many of which were designed by prominent architects, reflect architectural styles popular from the mid-19th through mid-20th centuries.

The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources. The National Register includes over 2,000 listings in Texas. Listing affords properties a measure of protection from the possible impact of federally funded projects, as well as access to technical expertise and grant funds to facilitate their restoration and preservation. Income-producing properties are also eligible for federal tax benefits for sympathetic rehabilitation work.

"Listing in the National Register follows a tremendous amount of preparation," said Larry Oaks, Executive Director of the Texas Historical Commission. "Many individuals contribute to the nomination of these properties, including the owners, local preservation organizations, our staff, and our professional review board. The citizens of Austin can be very proud of this accomplishment."

The Texas Historical Commission is the state agency for historic preservation. Its staff administers a wide range of programs that seek to preserve the heritage of the state and the historic investments of its citizens. For more information, write P.O. Box 12276, Austin, Texas 78711, or call 512-463-6100.

Owners of properties listed* in the National Register who wish to order National Register plaques may request a form by contacting the History Programs Division at 512-463-5853. Plaque application also avaialble for downloading: [pdf 96 k]

* To find a "contributing" home, download OWAHD Nomination [ doc 1.3 Mb ] (pgs: 12 through 70). If your property is listed in the nomination as a "C" for contributing vs "N" non contributing, your home is eligible for a Plaque.There are three types of Plaques to choose from at $75, $125, and $150. Plaques at $125 & $150 require copies of supporting materials verifying the historic name of the property or the family / person of significance that lived in the home near the time it was built. Owners should provide materials verifying the historic name of the property, such as copies of deed records or city directories (please note that NR Plaques may NOT include the current owners names). All applications must include a clear current snapshot of the property. Please allow 5-6 weeks for delivery.

> Download the Old West Austin Historic District brochure [ PDF 156 K ]
> Learn of other Historic Districts and sites within Austin and Travis County

National Register of Historic Places Description of the Old West Austin Historic District

The Old West Austin Historic District covers approximately 106 blocks of residential development and park land distributed across a plateau west of Austin's central business district. The area is comprised of three major suburbs, Enfield, Pemberton Heights, and Bryker Woods and was all originally part of the George W. Spear League. See original 1861Travis County Survey Map (716 K PDF). When the league was divided, the Pease family's Woodlawn plantation and farmland John Woods Harris owned encompassed the greater portion of the parceling. Although a few houses were built before the turn of the century, suburban development began in the southern portion of the area in the 1920s and expanded northward through the 1950s. Architect-designed dwellings coexist with more modest vernacular dwellings and the collection includes period revival residences, bungalows, cottages, and apartments. Relieving the basic rectilinear grid are several streets that conform to Shoal Creek basin's irregular topography and others that gently descend into Pease Park, which forms the historic district's eastern boundary. The resultant grouping of nineteenth- and twentieth-century resources includes 2,525 dwellings, garages, and other properties that retain integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, which remain recognizable to the historic district's period of significance.

• NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM [ doc 1.3 Mb
• NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET [ PDF 1.1 Mb ]

Examples of Old West Austin Historic District Architecture

Can I remodel in a National Register District?

• YES!! It is possible to successfully remodel in a National Register District. There are no restrictions on interior remodeling. The goal in exterior remodeling for historic properties is to maintain the architectural features, and the height of the home when viewed from the street.
  
  
• Please note that National Register Districts are not under the same guidelines as City of Austin zoned “H” properties. YOU apply for “H’ zoning because the property has a very significant history and uniqueness and its maintenance is rewarded with a property tax abatement.
  
  
• Prior to issuing City of Austin permits, all Building, Remodel, Demolition, and Sign requests for historic and non-historic properties will be reviewed to help maintain the architectural features of the district. This is done as a service and at no charge by the COA Landmark Commission office. Their mission is to maintain the district’s character, but as always you have the final say on changes to your home.
  

New To the Area ?

If you are new to the area or thinking about purchasing a home in the proposed National Register District, an informative homeowner brochure is available here: Download the Old West Austin Historic District brochure [ PDF 156 K ]

How to stay informed on the progress of OWAHD?

To stay informed on the National Register process and receive periodic updates by joining the OWAHD email newsgroup at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OWAHD The newsgroup has very low volume and it will keep you informed to the latest news and developments!


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