History - 3/4 - The Austinot

Elisabet Ney Museum: Meet a Woman Ahead of Her Time

July 11, 2014 by J. Alan Nelson 3 Comments

The Elisabet Ney Museum in Hyde Park

You don’t know it, but you know Elisabet Ney.

Her sculptures are part of your mental landscape. She’s credited by many for making Austin the Austin it is today – a center of culture. For anyone interested in the arts or Texas history, visiting the quiet little museum in the midst of a wildlife habitat at 304 E 44th Street in Hyde Park is a must.

Elisabet Ney self portrait

In the Austin of the 1880s, German sculptor Elisabet Ney insisted she be treated as an individual. The daughter of a stonemason, she won over misogynists and pushed herself to the highest power circles in Europe and United States. She always had short hair, which was extremely unusual for the times. She wore comfortable clothes, refusing corsets. She never took her husband’s name. [Read more…]

Battle of the Brunches Round 3: Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill

June 19, 2014 by Samantha Champion 2 Comments

Moonshine is located on Waller Creek at the corner of 3rd and Red River

If there’s one thing all real Texans love, it’s comfort food. Give us fried chicken, grits, and basically anything with melted cheese, and we’re a happy bunch.

Combine our appreciation for comfort food with our pride in Texas history, southern hospitality, and a good Bloody Mary, and we are in love.

For these very reasons, Battle of the Brunches Round 3 goes to Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill.

Rich History

Most Austinites have either visited or passed by the old Hofheinz-Reissig Store, a National Register property located at 3rd and Red River across from the Convention Center.

This 160 year old dry goods store, originally built as part of the Waterloo Compound, now operates as Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill, one of the most unforgettable brunch spots in the city. [Read more…]

Rattletree School of Marimba Imports Happy Music from Zimbabwe

February 27, 2014 by David Thomas Leave a Comment

Joel Laviolette, Founder of Rattletree School of Marimba

Joel Laviolette is the founder of The Rattletree School of Marimba

Have you ever been so inspired by something, you stopped what you were doing and began a quest to learn everything you could about it? Joel Laviolette has.

How It Started

Almost 20 years ago, Joel was traveling through New Mexico when he heard the music of the mbira. The instrument is indigenous to Africa and, after listening, Joel wanted to learn everything about it.

Traveling across North America, Joel did exactly that. When our fair continent could no longer provide new knowledge, he went to the source of another African instrument, the marimba. Over the course of several trips to Zimbabwe, Joel stayed with master musicians and continued his education.

He made his way to Austin six years ago and started a band named Joel Laviolette and Rattletree. He also started a marimba school named The Rattletree School of Marimba. [Read more…]

Reflections on 2013 Veterans Day Ceremony at the Texas State Capitol

November 12, 2013 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

Veterans Day Ceremony 2013 at Texas State Capitol

I’m proud to live in a state that takes care of its veterans. From property tax exemptions to complimentary state park admission, from vocational rehabilitation to specialty license plates, Texas has numerous policies in place to support veterans and ease the visible and invisible burdens they bring home after armed conflict.

I attended the 2013 Veterans Day Ceremony on the steps of the Texas State Capitol with certain expectations – given our state’s track record for veterans. After the morning’s parade up Congress Avenue concluded, veterans, public officials, and Austin residents gathered for an hour-long ceremony.

Many speakers took the podium during the ceremony. Multiple government officials gave addresses, resolutions were read, hands were clapped.

There were two standout speeches. The first was given by a World War II veteran with a [Read more…]

Lorenzo de Zavala Building Houses 40,000 Cubic Feet of State Archives

March 5, 2013 by Brittany Highland 2 Comments

Lorenzo de Zavala State Library and Archives Building

Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building in Austin: Traditional home of the Travis letter

Through this Thursday, William Travis’ 1836 “victory or death” letter is on display at the Alamo in San Antonio. Returned for the first time to the site where it was penned, the Travis letter is protected by a $20,000 display case, black curtains and temporary AC units.

But these measures aren’t enough to protect a relic that holds this much historical significance. So not far from the letter, during every minute of public display, representatives from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin are taking turns keeping watch. Just in case.

I met two of these archivists-turned-guards recently, during a visit to the Lorenzo de Zavala State Library and Archives Building near the Capitol Building. It’s safe to say that guard duty wasn’t part of the job description when John Anderson and Laura Saegert became archivists for the State of Texas over three decades ago. Although they’re filling an unusual role now, I believe their motivation has remained constant throughout their notable careers. John, Laura and their team members are dedicated to preserving Texas history and expanding public knowledge of the treasures they preserve. [Read more…]

Laguna Gloria: Historic Outdoor Paradise in the Middle of Austin

January 8, 2013 by Brittany Highland 5 Comments

Laguna Gloria on Lake Austin

There’s a quiet retreat waiting for you. And if you live in Austin, it’ll only take you a few minutes to get there.

Feel free to take your dog, child, significant other, or best friend. But you may find that Laguna Gloria becomes your favorite place in Austin to explore all by yourself. [Read more…]

Inherit Austin Tours Historic Downtown Deco Worth Keeping

September 25, 2012 by Brittany Highland 7 Comments

Deco lettering of Brown Building on Colorado, 1938

What would you do if the Austin you know and love was being threatened by strip malls and national corporations?

Large changes are easy to spot. But historical and cultural landmarks can be quietly replaced, one at a time, until our city’s architectural heritage is gone.

Behind every old building is a special story. Without the buildings, the stories are told less, and that part of who we are as a city is lost. [Read more…]

Young Austinite Wins Ride on Historic Tall Ship Still Sailing

July 24, 2012 by Guest Blogger 10 Comments

Bow of the Eagle Tall Sailing Ship in U.S. Fleet

The bow of the Eagle

Editor’s Note: Because the Austinot’s founder, Eric Highland, is a 20-year veteran of the United States Coast Guard, I was delighted when I first heard the following story. I’m grateful to Richard for sharing his story and aspirations with our community, and for the example he sets for his generation of young Austinites.

This guest blog post is by Richard Barr Dent.

What motivates a high school junior to compete for a ride on one of the last sailing tall ships in the United States fleet?

At four, it shocked me to leave Cincinnati. “Austin is hard,” I told my grandmother. No tree leaves changed colors in Autumn. No snow for sledding in the winter. Luckily, I realized we were only three hours away from the Texas coast. Trips to Galveston, tours of the Elissa, the tall ship that is the pride of Texas, and nights spent aboard the U.S.S. Lexington with my Cub Scout Pack 29 kindled my maritime interest. Before Austin, my only exposure to the sea was the movie Muppet Treasure Island. [Read more…]

Tom Gimbel of Austin City Limits: This Is What I Want to Do

April 30, 2012 by Brittany Highland 2 Comments

This is the story of a man who got what he wanted. Mix one part passionate, one part competitive, one part positive, and you get Tom Gimbel.

Throw in a few parts happenstance, and you get Tom’s life: An amazing journey from record company intern to General Manager of Austin City Limits. Where he ends up – nobody knows.

The Early Years: Amazing Records

Since the time Tom was a student at The University of Texas 25 years ago, he was a fan of music across the board. But playing in local bands wasn’t enough. In order to become more educated about music, he decided to intern at a local record company. He flipped open the phone book and Amazing Records was listed first. His offer to work for free was [Read more…]

Reenacting the Battle of Goliad, Texas and Goliad Massacre

April 3, 2012 by Brittany Highland 4 Comments

There are few Texans who don’t enjoy rubbing in the fact that Texas was once its own country. It’s one of the things that the rest of the country hates about us.

But many people, especially in my generation, don’t consider or even know about the decisive battles in the Texas War for Independence that led to victory over Mexico.

Growing up, I was lucky to have two younger brothers who were Boy Scouts. Because of them, I got to tag along on many camping trips and educational adventures. One such adventure was to Goliad, TX for the annual reenactment of the 1836 Goliad Massacre and the battles of Goliad leading up to the Massacre. Goliad was an important location during the Texas War for Independence. Though the events there were tragic for Texas and its allies, they compounded with the fall of the Alamo to galvanize Texas forces to continue the fight for freedom. [Read more…]