Images of Austin around 1885

Austin, 1889

The above image was taken from Capitol Square, looking south toward the Colorado river. Below is a labeled version of the same image, for reference.

18th & Colorado, 1882

View of typical neighborhood from someone’s porch, just NW of Capital Square.

Same as above, but with color:

What’s pictured here are called twin homes. It was common for siblings or family to build matching homes right next to each other.

6th Street, 1887

This appears to have been taken on East Pecan (6th) but we’re not sure exactly where.

6th & Lavaca, 1890ish

Colorized for your pleasure.

Convict Laborers in Austin, 1885

AI Colorized

Congress Avenue, 1890 or 1891

In 1891, a streetcar was installed on Congress Ave. This was taken during the construction of the tracks. There was no streetcar during the events of 1885. The tall building on the right is the Walter Tipps building.