A History Lover's Guide to Austin


Published by Arcadia Publishing
Discover the historic sites and cultural heritage of the Lone Star State’s Capitol City with this informative and entertaining guide.

Now one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, Austin was once a tiny frontier outpost of Waterloo. With A History Lover’s Guide to Austin, visitors and locals alike can explore how the “City of the Violet Crown” transformed into a world leader in culture and technology.

Discover the lost treasure of Shoal Creek in Pease Park or just a sense of inner peace amid the koi ponds and waterfalls of the Zilker Botanical Garden. Like the bats of Congress Avenue, navigate Austin neighborhoods by sound, taking cues from Stevie Ray Vaughan’s beloved guitar and Angelina Eberly’s city-saving cannon.

From the back streets once stalked by a serial killer to the stately halls of the Texas State History Museum, tour guide Jason Weems charts a course through Austin’s fascinating history.

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