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Austin's History, Real and Reel: A Guide to the City's Landmarks

Austin's history is a fascinating mix of Texas politics, frontier spirit, and cinematic cool. It’s a city where grand, historic government buildings stand just a few miles from the humble filming locations of cult classic movies. Here’s a guide to exploring both sides of Austin's unique story.

The Official History: The Heart of Texas

As the state capital, Austin is home to some of the most important historic buildings in Texas.

• The Texas State Capitol: You can't miss it. This stunning, sunset-red granite building is an architectural marvel and the center of Texas politics. Completed in 1888, it's actually taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. You can take a free tour to explore the grand rotunda and legislative chambers, or simply wander the beautiful grounds.
• The Texas Governor's Mansion: Located just across the street from the Capitol grounds, the Governor's Mansion has been the official residence of every Texas governor since 1856. This beautiful Greek Revival building is a key piece of Texas history and a symbol of the state's executive branch.
• The Driskill Hotel: Built in 1886 by a wealthy cattle baron, The Driskill is Austin's oldest operating hotel. Located downtown, this Romanesque-style building is a landmark of opulent, old-world Texas. It's rumored to be one of the most haunted places in Austin, with a rich history of political deals and ghostly encounters.
• Historic Districts: To get a feel for historic residential Austin, take a stroll through districts like Clarksville, one of the oldest surviving freedmen's towns west of the Mississippi, or the Bremond Block, a collection of beautiful Victorian homes.

The Pop Culture History: Austin on the Big Screen

Thanks in large part to pioneering directors like Richard Linklater and Robert Rodriguez, Austin has become a major filmmaking hub. The city itself is a recurring character in many beloved films and TV shows.

• "Dazed and Confused" (1993): Richard Linklater's quintessential Austin film captured the spirit of the last day of school in 1976. Many of its locations are now legendary:

  • Top Notch Hamburgers: This old-school drive-in on Burnet Road is where Matthew McConaughey's character, Wooderson, delivered his iconic line, "Alright, alright, alright." It's still serving up classic burgers and fries.
  • Violet Crown Shopping Center: The exterior of the "Emporium" pool hall was filmed here. The shopping center now houses the excellent Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew, connecting two pieces of Austin culture in one spot.
  • The Moontowers: While the specific moontower from the film's famous party scene was a prop, the 165-foot towers themselves are real, historic Austin landmarks. Built in 1894 to light the city, they are the only surviving examples of their kind in the world and a perfect bridge between Austin's real and cinematic history.

• Other Notable Productions:

  • "Office Space" (1999): Mike Judge's cult classic satirizing corporate life was filmed in and around Austin's anonymous-looking office parks, perfectly capturing the blandness of 9-to-5 drudgery.
  • "Friday Night Lights" (TV Series, 2006-2011): While set in the fictional town of Dillon, Texas, the beloved TV series was filmed extensively in the Austin area, using the city's neighborhoods and businesses to create its authentic Texas feel.
  • "Boyhood" (2014): Richard Linklater's ambitious project, filmed over 12 years, is a time capsule of both its actors and the city of Austin itself, featuring numerous landmarks as they evolved over a decade.