Travis Heights, Austin, Texas
Encyclopedia
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 Fairview Park, an earlier suburb associated with the same developers, running from the west side of Blunn Creek to South Congress Avenue. Part of Travis Heights was stranded east of Interstate 35; many of the same streets to be found west of the highway continue east of it.
It was founded in 1912 by Newning, Swisher and General Stacy, but development did not expand rapidly until the 1920s. The city park located along Blunn Creek in Travis Heights was donated by Stacy and bears his name, Stacy Park, as does the "Big Stacy" spring-fed pool and the "Little Stacy" park and swimming pool, built as a WPA project
during the Great Depression.
Originally conceived as an exclusive district for the wealthy, the adjacent development of Fairview Park was first developed in the late 19th century, but didn't really take off. It wasn't until the 1920s when Travis Heights was developed next to it, that life south of the river was a reasonable venture. Now, with a great mix of mansions, smaller homes, and hip apartments, Travis Heights is among the most desirable residential neighborhoods in Austin. Proximity to South Congress
, Downtown Austin
, and the major freeways also make Travis Heights one of the best-positioned areas in South Austin.
Another attraction of the neighborhood is its closeness to the newly rejuvenated South Congress Avenue, many times called SoCo
. South Congress is full of hip cafes and stores, and attracts many tourists and young professionals from downtown.
Travis Heights and Fairview Park are currently seeking designation as a Local Historic District and National Register Historic District.
The neighborhood is zoned to the Austin Independent School District
.
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...
, bounded by Lady Bird Lake on the north, 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...
on the east, 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....
on the west and Oltorf Street on the south. These boundaries include Fairview Park, an earlier suburb associated with the same developers, running from the west side of Blunn Creek to South Congress Avenue. Part of Travis Heights was stranded east of Interstate 35; many of the same streets to be found west of the highway continue east of it.
It was founded in 1912 by Newning, Swisher and General Stacy, but development did not expand rapidly until the 1920s. The city park located along Blunn Creek in Travis Heights was donated by Stacy and bears his name, Stacy Park, as does the "Big Stacy" spring-fed pool and the "Little Stacy" park and swimming pool, built as a WPA project
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
during the Great Depression.
Originally conceived as an exclusive district for the wealthy, the adjacent development of Fairview Park was first developed in the late 19th century, but didn't really take off. It wasn't until the 1920s when Travis Heights was developed next to it, that life south of the river was a reasonable venture. Now, with a great mix of mansions, smaller homes, and hip apartments, Travis Heights is among the most desirable residential neighborhoods in Austin. Proximity to South Congress
South Congress
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...
, Downtown Austin
Downtown Austin
Downtown Austin is the central business district of Austin, Texas. Downtown is located on the north bank of the Colorado River. The approximate borders of Downtown include Lamar Boulevard to the west, 11th Street and sometimes Martin Luther King, Jr...
, and the major freeways also make Travis Heights one of the best-positioned areas in South Austin.
Another attraction of the neighborhood is its closeness to the newly rejuvenated South Congress Avenue, many times called SoCo
South Congress
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...
. South Congress is full of hip cafes and stores, and attracts many tourists and young professionals from downtown.
Travis Heights and Fairview Park are currently seeking designation as a Local Historic District and National Register Historic District.
Education
Austin 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...
.
- Travis Heights Elementary School
- Fulmore Middle School
- Travis High School