South Congress
Encyclopedia
South Congress is a neighborhood located on South Congress Avenue
in Austin
, Texas
, United States
. It is also a nationally-known shopping and cultural district famous for its many eclectic small retailers, restaurants, music and art venues and, more recently, food trucks.
South Congress begins at the Colorado River
and Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge
and runs due south towards Ben White Boulevard/TX-71. The area bordered by two historic South Austin neighborhoods: Travis Heights
to the east and Boulding Creek
to the west.
Since its humble beginnings in the 1850s, South Congress Avenue has been transformed from a rural country road to the capital city gateway and, finally, to the vibrant shopping district that it is today. Many Austinites attribute its enduring popularity to the magnificent and unobstructed view of the Texas State Capitol
.
designed Congress to be Austin's most prominent thoroughfare in the 1830s. However, Congress did not extend south of the Colorado River
until 1852 when James Gibson Swisher donated land for a road that was both the postal route to Austin and the main highway to San Antonio. Growth along South Congress slowed during the 19th century; it was not until the completion of a concrete bridge in 1910 that South Austin had reliable transportation over the river. Rapid growth finally came to South Austin in the 1920s, as the streetcar was expended down South Congress. As hundreds of bungalows were built in South Austin, more commercial enterprises began appearing south of the river - especially on South Congress. By 1931, South Congress was finally paved all the way from the river to the railroad at present-day Ben White Boulevard.
Many of South Congress's icons opened their doors between 1930 and 1960. The Austin Motel opened in 1938 and the Hotel San José shortly thereafter. The hamburger stand that would eventually become the legendary Night Hawk opened on South Congress in 1932. Another major development was the Twin Oaks Shopping Center at the northeast corner of Oltorf Road and South Congress. It was one of Austin's first "strip" shopping venues when it opened in 1954. South Austin opened further during the 1950s, as the Congress Avenue Bridge
was widened and the construction of Interstate 35
provided an alternative north-south route.
During the 1970s, South Congress became a mecca for artists, musicians and their supporters. The legendary Armadillo World Headquarters
opened at the corner of South Congress and Barton Springs Boulevard in 1970. Tourists traffic decline on South Congress with the rise of I-35 and many business fell into decline and disrepair.
By the late 1980s, small eclectic retailers began popping up along the South Congress Corridor, attracted by cheap rent. The area's renaissance began at the intersection of South Congress and Monroe by putting their historic buildings to good use to attract eclectic retail business, arts and music venues and restaurants to the area. South Austin's first skyscrapers appeared at South Congress and Riverside Drive when two new hotels opened. 1988 was a watershed moment for the area, as Kent Cole and Diana Prechter fixed a beat-up wood-frame building that had operated as Flossie's bar and the Austex Lounge, and reopened it as Magnolia Cafe South, a second location for their popular homegrown eatery famous for gingerbread pancakes and comfort food. Said they were attracted by the "colorful people" and cheap rent.
Memories of drug dealers and prostitutes began to fade in the 1990s. Austin, a relatively small city for most of its history, suddenly enjoyed a tremendous economic boom that attracted new residents and drove an increased demand for older housing stock in the Travis Heights
and Bouldin Creek
neighborhoods. That in turn spurred massive renovation along South Congress and throughout old South Austin. The 1990s witnessed the redevelopment of the Austin Theatre, the H-E-B
at Oltorf and South Congress and more. Perhaps the most ambitious renovation undertaken was the redevelopment of Penn Field from an industrial plant to a multi-use complex that includes office space, retail and residences. By the end of the decade, South Congress was well on its way to becoming a nationally-known shopping and cultural district.
s serving tacos, falafel
, cupcakes, and more. Notable retailers on South Congress include Allen's Boots (1977), Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds (1984), Uncommon Objects (1992) and Friends of Sound (1996). Restaurants in the area include Guero's (1995), Home Slice Pizza (2005), South Congress Cafe (2003) and Hey Cupcake (2007). First Thursday is a community event held each month where business stay open to 10 p.m. or later to celebrate the neighborhood’s boutiques, restaurants and galleries. The event is held on the first Thursday of every month between Barton Springs Road and Elizabeth Street.
Sweet Leaf Tea Company
has its headquarters in the Penn Field Business Park in the South Congress neighborhood. The company moved to the South Congress neighborhood in 2007. The company moved to Penn Field in December 2009.
. The zoned schools are Travis Heights Elementary School, Fulmore Middle School
, and Travis High School. Fulmore was built in 1886, Travis Heights was built in 1938, and Travis was built in 1953.
St. Edward's University
is located on South Congress Avenue.
Congress Avenue
Congress Avenue is a major thoroughfare in Austin, Texas. The street is a six-lane, tree lined avenue that cuts through the middle of the city from far south Austin and goes over Lady Bird Lake leading to the Texas State Capitol in the heart of downtown....
in Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is also a nationally-known shopping and cultural district famous for its many eclectic small retailers, restaurants, music and art venues and, more recently, food trucks.
South Congress begins at the Colorado River
Colorado River (Texas)
The Colorado River is a river that runs through the U.S. state of Texas; it should not be confused with the much longer Colorado River which flows from Colorado into the Gulf of California....
and Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge
Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge
The Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge crosses over Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas. Before the construction of Longhorn Dam was completed in 1960, the bridge crossed the Colorado River from which Lady Bird Lake is impounded...
and runs due south towards Ben White Boulevard/TX-71. The area bordered by two historic South Austin neighborhoods: Travis Heights
Travis Heights, Austin, Texas
Travis Heights is a historic neighborhood in south Austin, Texas, United States, bounded by Lady Bird Lake on the north, Interstate 35 on the east, Congress Avenue on the west and Oltorf Street on the south. These boundaries include , an earlier suburb associated with the same developers, running...
to the east and Boulding Creek
Bouldin Creek, Austin, Texas
Bouldin Creek is an older neighborhood in Austin, Texas, originally created at the turn of the 20th century. With several historic homes remaining from that era, and countless more from the period of rapid growth in the 1920s and 30s that followed, this neighborhood has an undeniable historic charm...
to the west.
Since its humble beginnings in the 1850s, South Congress Avenue has been transformed from a rural country road to the capital city gateway and, finally, to the vibrant shopping district that it is today. Many Austinites attribute its enduring popularity to the magnificent and unobstructed view of the Texas State Capitol
Texas State Capitol
The Texas State Capitol is located in Austin, Texas, and is the fourth building to be the house of Texas government in Austin. It houses the chambers of the Texas Legislature and the office of the governor of Texas. It was designed originally during 1881 by architect Elijah E. Myers, and was...
.
History
Edwin WallerEdwin Waller
Judge Edwin Waller was an entrepreneur, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, the first mayor of Austin, Texas, and the designer of its downtown grid plan....
designed Congress to be Austin's most prominent thoroughfare in the 1830s. However, Congress did not extend south of the Colorado River
Colorado River (Texas)
The Colorado River is a river that runs through the U.S. state of Texas; it should not be confused with the much longer Colorado River which flows from Colorado into the Gulf of California....
until 1852 when James Gibson Swisher donated land for a road that was both the postal route to Austin and the main highway to San Antonio. Growth along South Congress slowed during the 19th century; it was not until the completion of a concrete bridge in 1910 that South Austin had reliable transportation over the river. Rapid growth finally came to South Austin in the 1920s, as the streetcar was expended down South Congress. As hundreds of bungalows were built in South Austin, more commercial enterprises began appearing south of the river - especially on South Congress. By 1931, South Congress was finally paved all the way from the river to the railroad at present-day Ben White Boulevard.
Many of South Congress's icons opened their doors between 1930 and 1960. The Austin Motel opened in 1938 and the Hotel San José shortly thereafter. The hamburger stand that would eventually become the legendary Night Hawk opened on South Congress in 1932. Another major development was the Twin Oaks Shopping Center at the northeast corner of Oltorf Road and South Congress. It was one of Austin's first "strip" shopping venues when it opened in 1954. South Austin opened further during the 1950s, as the Congress Avenue Bridge
Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge
The Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge crosses over Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas. Before the construction of Longhorn Dam was completed in 1960, the bridge crossed the Colorado River from which Lady Bird Lake is impounded...
was widened and the construction of Interstate 35
Interstate 35
Interstate 35 is a north–south Interstate Highway in the central United States. I-35 stretches from Laredo, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border to Duluth, Minnesota, at Minnesota Highway 61 and 26th Avenue East. Many interstates used to have splits or spurs indicated with suffixed letters , but I-35...
provided an alternative north-south route.
During the 1970s, South Congress became a mecca for artists, musicians and their supporters. The legendary Armadillo World Headquarters
Armadillo World Headquarters
The Armadillo World Headquarters was the premier music hall and entertainment center in Austin, Texas, United States from 1970 to 1980.-History:...
opened at the corner of South Congress and Barton Springs Boulevard in 1970. Tourists traffic decline on South Congress with the rise of I-35 and many business fell into decline and disrepair.
By the late 1980s, small eclectic retailers began popping up along the South Congress Corridor, attracted by cheap rent. The area's renaissance began at the intersection of South Congress and Monroe by putting their historic buildings to good use to attract eclectic retail business, arts and music venues and restaurants to the area. South Austin's first skyscrapers appeared at South Congress and Riverside Drive when two new hotels opened. 1988 was a watershed moment for the area, as Kent Cole and Diana Prechter fixed a beat-up wood-frame building that had operated as Flossie's bar and the Austex Lounge, and reopened it as Magnolia Cafe South, a second location for their popular homegrown eatery famous for gingerbread pancakes and comfort food. Said they were attracted by the "colorful people" and cheap rent.
Memories of drug dealers and prostitutes began to fade in the 1990s. Austin, a relatively small city for most of its history, suddenly enjoyed a tremendous economic boom that attracted new residents and drove an increased demand for older housing stock in the Travis Heights
Travis Heights, Austin, Texas
Travis Heights is a historic neighborhood in south Austin, Texas, United States, bounded by Lady Bird Lake on the north, Interstate 35 on the east, Congress Avenue on the west and Oltorf Street on the south. These boundaries include , an earlier suburb associated with the same developers, running...
and Bouldin Creek
Bouldin Creek, Austin, Texas
Bouldin Creek is an older neighborhood in Austin, Texas, originally created at the turn of the 20th century. With several historic homes remaining from that era, and countless more from the period of rapid growth in the 1920s and 30s that followed, this neighborhood has an undeniable historic charm...
neighborhoods. That in turn spurred massive renovation along South Congress and throughout old South Austin. The 1990s witnessed the redevelopment of the Austin Theatre, the H-E-B
H-E-B
HEB Grocery Company, LP is a privately held San Antonio, Texas-based supermarket chain with more than 315 stores throughout Texas and northern Mexico. The company also operates Central Market, an upscale organic and fine foods retailer.H-E-B ranked No...
at Oltorf and South Congress and more. Perhaps the most ambitious renovation undertaken was the redevelopment of Penn Field from an industrial plant to a multi-use complex that includes office space, retail and residences. By the end of the decade, South Congress was well on its way to becoming a nationally-known shopping and cultural district.
Economy
The shopping district contains numerous shops, restaurants, and music venues. There is a square featuring a number of food truckFood truck
A food truck, mobile kitchen, mobile canteen, or catering truck is a mobile venue that sells food. Some, including ice cream trucks, sell mostly frozen or prepackaged food; others are more like restaurants-on-wheels...
s serving tacos, falafel
Falafel
Falafel is a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas and/or fava beans. Falafel is usually served in a pita, which acts as a pocket, or wrapped in a flatbread known as lafa. The falafel balls are topped with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces...
, cupcakes, and more. Notable retailers on South Congress include Allen's Boots (1977), Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds (1984), Uncommon Objects (1992) and Friends of Sound (1996). Restaurants in the area include Guero's (1995), Home Slice Pizza (2005), South Congress Cafe (2003) and Hey Cupcake (2007). First Thursday is a community event held each month where business stay open to 10 p.m. or later to celebrate the neighborhood’s boutiques, restaurants and galleries. The event is held on the first Thursday of every month between Barton Springs Road and Elizabeth Street.
Sweet Leaf Tea Company
Sweet Leaf Tea Company
Sweet Leaf Tea Company is a producer of ready-to-drink organic teas and lemonades made with 100% pure cane sugar headquartered in the Penn Field Business Park in the South Congress area of Austin, Texas. It was founded in 1998 by Clayton Christopher and David Smith...
has its headquarters in the Penn Field Business Park in the South Congress neighborhood. The company moved to the South Congress neighborhood in 2007. The company moved to Penn Field in December 2009.
Education
The neighborhood is zoned to the Austin Independent School DistrictAustin Independent School District
Austin Independent School District is a school district that is based in the city of Austin, Texas, United States. It was established in 1881. Its current superintendent is...
. The zoned schools are Travis Heights Elementary School, Fulmore Middle School
Fulmore Middle School
Fulmore Middle School is a middle school located at 201 East Mary Street in Austin, Texas .Part of the Austin Independent School District, Fulmore is an urban school with approximately 1050 students. The school serves grades 6-8. The school's mascot is the falcon and its colors are royal blue and...
, and Travis High School. Fulmore was built in 1886, Travis Heights was built in 1938, and Travis was built in 1953.
St. Edward's University
St. Edward's University
St. Edward's University is a private Roman Catholic institution of higher learning located south of Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas. The university offers a liberal arts education and its campus is located on a hill overlooking the city of Austin. The campus's most notable landmark is Main...
is located on South Congress Avenue.