In earlier times the area that eventually became Austin, was occupied by various Native Americans, among them were the Tonkawa Tribe, Comanches and Lipan Apaches. In the early 1830s the little village of Waterloo was settled and in 1839, it was chosen to be the capital of the Republic of Texas. In time, the area on the banks of the Colorado River grew and was renamed Austin, after Stephen F. Austin.

President Sam Houston always felt that Austin should not be the capital. Due to its remote location, it would be easy prey for Mexico or hostile Native Americans. He wanted the capital to be Houston or Washington on the Brazos. On the night of December 29, 1842, a group of men, working for President Houston attempted to steal the archives of Texas and take them to Houston. A lady name Angelina Eberly, spotted the misdeed, commandeered a cannon, aimed it at the Austin Land Claims Office and fired one round into it, scattering the theives to their wagons. The records were taken, but quickly, thanks to Angelina Eberly’s efforts, a group formed and retrieved the records. It became known as the Texas Archive War.

On March 2, 1861, Texas joined the Confederate States of America. This was an action of which Sam Houston bitterly disapproved; he refused to pay allegiance to the Confederacy. He opposed succession until his death in 1863.

On New Year’s Eve 1884, the first documented serial killer in the US made his presence known in Austin. His deadly spree lasted almost one year, ending on December 24,1885. When it ended, it is believed that seven people had been his victims. At the beginning, he preyed on servant girls. He’d drag his victims from their beds, rape them and then drive a spike into the ears or face, killing them. The last two victims were wealthy women. The perpetrator became known as the Servant Girl Annihilator, a term coined by writer O Henry,who lived in Austin. The criminal was never caught.

ATTRACTIONS:

Austin City Limits - Enjoy the talent that has made this one of PBS television's top shows.

Guided Segway Tours - As part of the "Keep Austin Weird" campaign, the Guided Segway Tours are offered. This is fun.

Capital Cruises will take you on a cruise along the Colorado River. There are lunch and dinner cruises, bat watching cruises and others.

Inner Space Cavern

Kiddie Acres - Park dedicated to children under ten years of age

NIGHTLIFE:

Check the Austin Nightlife - So much of the entertainment and music scene in Austin centers around 6th Street.