AHC collection storage area
About Collections
The Austin History Center collects and preserves historical records of all types documenting Austin's history from before its founding in 1839 to the present. While archival collections may be organized by person, family or organization, they can be cross-reference by the type of item, or collecting unit. All items can be viewed in-person and where noted items available online.
Archive(s) have several meanings:
It is a place where historical documents are stored, like the Austin History Center.- Archive can also mean the collection of historical documents or records that provide information about a place, institution, or group of people.
- The archives can be searched by person or organization that donated the documents and are cross referenced by the type and into subjects. Use the Archival Collections Catalog (ArchivesSpace) to view collections. The catalog will link to digitized items when available.
These research materials are stored in boxes or containers and labelled so they can be retrieved for in person use. The labels vary to indicate the collection and/or type of item.
These materials are organized into collecting units by type. The types of items available in the archives are listed below:
Architectural Archives
Architectural Archives
The collection includes architectural drawings, job files, photographs, and personal papers of various local architects. The Architectural Archives was formed in 1986 as the Sesquicentennial Project of the Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
How to Find and Use
- Find items with reference staff using the in-house database; and view items in person.
Audio
Audio
Oral Histories and Recollections
Austin History Center staff, along with many dedicated volunteers, have made oral history recordings documenting the rich and colorful history of more than 400 residents and public figures. This collection also includes audio tapes recorded during historical marker dedication ceremonies, as well as tapes of local radio interviews from the 1970s. In addition, researchers have donated interview tapes created while studying Austin's history.
How to Find and Use
- Find oral histories with reference staff using an in-house database; and use items in person. Some oral histories are available in the Digital Collections (Preservica).
Music
Even before Austin declared itself the "Live Music Capital of the World," the Austin History Center began collecting and preserving examples of music from the local scene. Some artists include Kenneth Threadgill, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir.
How to Find and Use
- Search Music recordings in the Austin Public Library Catalog. The collection can be used in person.
Austin Files
Austin Files
The AHC's vertical files are a great go-to source for basic Austin history. The vertical files comprise thousands of files that cover many topics about Austin and Travis County. Files contain printed items such as photographs, newspaper and magazine clippings, brochures, press releases, short reports and more. Only a small portion of these files have been digitized and can be found on the Portal of Texas History and the Digital Collections (Preservica). They are broken up into the three categories listed below.
Austin Subject Files - arranged alphabetically by subject with topics such as Agriculture or Barton Springs. Austin Files Subject List (PDF) denotes- text files with a T,
- photographs with a P,
- digital files with a D, and
- recordings with an R.
- Biography Files - contain information and images about residents who have made an impact on their community. They are arranged by the names of the individuals or the surname of their family. Search by using the Austin Public Library Catalog.
- House Building Files - have information and images about structures located around the city. They are arranged by street address. Most can be searched in the Austin Public Library Catalog.
How to Find and Use
Find items using the links above, and view items in person.
Copy link to sectionBooks and Publications
Books and Publications
The Austin History Center publications contain more than 22,000 items, including books, local government documents, and unpublished reports documenting the history and current activities of Austin and Travis County.
Books
- Books about Austin and Travis County
- Books by local authors
- Yearbooks from local schools and universities
Directories
- Church and organization directories
- City directories - Some are accessible online through the Portal to Texas History with searchable text
- Business directories
Business Publications
- Market surveys
- Chamber of Commerce publications
- Annual reports of local companies and non-profits
Records
- Frank Brown's Annals of Travis County and of the City of Austin from the Earliest Times to the Close of 1875
How to Find and Use
Find items using the Austin Public Library Catalog and view items in person. Our booklists can direct you to resources focused on specific topics. Materials in the Austin History Center’s collections may be used in our Reading Room, but may not be checked out.
Search the Library Catalog for city directories to view in person. Some directories are online through the Portal to Texas History with searchable text.
Copy link to sectionCity of Austin Records
City of Austin Records
The Austin History Center serves as the official repository for the records of the City of Austin. We have documents from other local government entities. Our government document collection includes:
- Travis County census
- Budgets
- Reports
- City Council and Boards and Commissions meeting minutes and recordings
- Cemetery records
- Annual reports for City departments
How to Find and Use
Find City publications and reports using the Austin Public Library Catalog and in archival collections using the Archival Collections Catalog (ArchivesSpace).
Use City of Austin Public Records to access public records found in the Office of the City Clerk including:
- Council-Approved Records (Council Meeting Agenda and Minutes, Ordinances, Resolutions, and more)
- Municipal Election Documents (Ballot Applications, Contribution and Expenditure Reports, and Campaign Treasurer Appointments)
- Municipal Utility District (MUD) Documents
You can find these remotely or also access these records in person at the Austin History Center.
Copy link to sectionMagazines, Newspapers and More
Magazines, Newspapers and More
Over 3000 titles of current and defunct periodicals, including magazines, journals, newspapers, zines, and newsletters are available.
How to Find and Use
Use the Periodical List to browse or search the titles we have.
Most of the Austin American-Statesman since 1871 is searchable online via the Austin Public Library. Use your Library card to search from home, or access it without a card at the Austin History Center or any branch library.
The entire run of the Austin American-Statesman since 1871 is available on microfilm in our Reading Room.
See also
Austin American Statesman (Historical)
Austin American Statesman (Historical)
Historical newspaper articles in PDF format for the years 1871-1980.
Austin American Statesman
Austin American Statesman
Newspaper articles available from 1871 - 1980 and 1989 - present.
Austin American Statesman Image
Austin American Statesman Image
Full-page, full-color daily newspaper online from 2018 to present.
Maps
Maps
The Austin History Center has over 1,000 maps of Austin and Travis County from the mid-1800s to the present, including plat maps, topographical maps, land use maps, street maps, and more!
How to Find and Use
- Find items with reference staff using the in-house database; and view items in person. Use the Map Inventory to review a list of our collection and to search for a specific map, such as cemetery maps, topographic and geologic maps, and more.
Online maps are available from these sources:
- Texas Digital Sanborn Maps is available from home with an Austin Public Library card.
- Texas County Highway Maps has some years available online from the University of Texas.
- The Perry-Castañeda Library at the University of Texas Map Collection has some Austin area maps and Sanborn Fire Insurance maps.
- The Library of Congress also has a collection of Sanborn Fire Insurance maps.
- Texas General Land Office Map Database and Store
Personal Papers and Organization Records
Personal Papers and Organization Records
The Austin History Center houses manuscript collections that contain the papers and records of local families, civic and cultural organizations, businesses, and institutions.
How to Find and Use
- Find items with reference staff using the in-house database; and view items in person. Search online in Archives Collection Catalog (ArchivesSpace) for inventories of some collections.
Photographs
Photographs
The Austin History Center's Photograph Collection contains over a million images ranging in date from the mid-19th century to the present. These images illustrate the changes in the people, events, and natural and built environment that Austin has seen through the years.
How to Find and Use
Find and view items in person, or use the links above to view some photos online. Use Photography Resources Guide to browse what is available. Many photos are available in the vertical files. The Austin American-Statesman Photo Morgue contains images from the long running daily newspaper.
Online Photographs
The Austin History Center's extensive photographic holdings are divided among many collections. The majority are only viewable in person, but some are available online. This is a selection of photographs that are available online.
- Aerial Photographs - available using the City of Austin's Property Profile site going back to 1940. Search by address.
- Some historic aerial photos are available for download from the City of Austin. Assistance may be needed to navigate the photos.
- See an inventory PDF for detailed information. Please note that the Inventory is in draft form and contains internal links that are only accessible to AHC staff.
- Bergstrom-Austin Community Council Records Photographs - contains photographs documenting over five decades of history of Bergstrom Air Force Base, originally known as Del Valle Air Base, from the 1940s until 1993.
- Photographs depict base buildings, personnel, aircraft, and events including drills, ceremonies, and festivals.
- More than 250 photographs from the collection are available online.
- Chalberg Collection of Prints and Negatives - covers Austin from 1900 to 1941. Some images of 19th century Austin are included. The collection comes from the Ellison Photo Company.
- More than 250 images are viewable online.
- Dewey Mears Photograph Archive - Dewey Mears was a leading architectural photographer in Central Texas in the mid-20th century.
- More than one thousand photographs have been digitized.
- Frank Caldwell Collection - contains photographs documenting Texas towns, events, and people from the 1880s through the 1930s.
- More than 250 photographs are available online.
- Hubert Jones Glass Plate Collection - contains 466 glass plate negatives documenting late 19th-century Austin life.
- Neal Douglass Photograph Archive - consists of more than 50,000 photographic negatives.
- Nearly 4,000 images are viewable online.
- Travis County Negro Extension Service Photograph Collection - documents agricultural and community programs serving African-American residents during segregation.
- More than 250 photographs are available online.
See also
Austin History Center Digital Collections (Preservica)
Austin History Center Digital Collections (Preservica)
Access thousands of digitized items, photos, documents, oral history recordings, videos, and maps from the AHC archives, with more added each week.
Portal to Texas History
Portal to Texas History
Features digital archival collections from across Texas. Hundreds of digitized photos are available in the Portal to Texas History.
Includes Texas History Collection - 60 books related to Texas history from the holdings of the Austin History Center have been scanned and made available online.
Video
Video
Our collection includes video recordings produced
- by local news stations
- by government agencies and nonprofit groups (such as the local police department and Bat Conservation International)
- for pure entertainment by local individuals or groups
Government Videos
- Videos from Channel 6 or ATXN, the City of Austin government access channel, are preserved.
- A full inventory of the Channel 6/ATXN recordings is available. Some of the recordings are:
- City Council meetings from 1984 through the present
- Parks and Recreation Board
- Planning Commission
- Charter Revision Committee
- Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities
- Telecommunications Commission
Local News Broadcasts
Video recordings of television news from each of four local network affiliates (ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC) are preserved. These video recordings span the time period of:
- April 1, 1984 to September 30, 2004
- October 1, 2004 to December 31, 2013
Logbooks listing the stories from the local broadcasts (up to December 2011) are available in person on request and are searchable in the Digital Collections (Preservica).
How to Find and Use
- Find items with reference staff using the in-house database; and view items in person. Use the Austin Public Library catalog to search some videos.
- Visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel to see clips of videos from some of our collections.
Yearbooks
Yearbooks
We collect yearbooks from local elementary, middle and high schools as well as local universities. All yearbooks are cataloged in the library's online catalog by title of the yearbook. We do not have full runs of all yearbooks; use the links below to search for current holdings. Search the catalog for other titles related to schools and yearbooks from social organizations. See our Public Schools Subject Guide for more details about other holdings related to schools.
Elementary Schools
- Anderson Mill Elementary School -- Armadillos
- Blackshear Elementary School -- Be All You Can Be
- Cedar Creek Elementary School -- Eagle's Flight
- Palm School -- Yearbook
Middle and Junior High Schools
- Allen (John T. Allen Junior High School) -- The Gold Rush and Bulldog
- Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders -- The Constellation
- Bailey Middle School -- A Paws in Time
- Bedichek Middle School -- Bobcat Paw Prints
- Bertha Sadler Means Young Women's Leadership Academy -- Yearbook
- Burnet Middle School -- Reach for the Stars
- Covington Middle School & Fine Arts Academy -- Round Up
- Del Valle Junior High School -- Soaring into the Millenium
- Dobie (J. Frank Dobie Middle School) -- El Paisano
- Dobie (J. Frank Dobie College Prep Academy) -- Yearbook
- Fulmore Junior High School (Fulmore Middle School) -- Falcon and Falcon's Feathers
- Gorzycki Middle School -- Tiger Beat
- Hill Country Middle School -- Cougar Reflections
- Kealing Junior High School -- Hornet
- Lamar (Mirabeau B. Lamar Junior High School) -- The Scottie
- Lanier (Sidney Lanier Junior High School) -- The Sailor
- Martin Junior High School -- Eagle Echo
- Murchison (E.A. Murchison Junior High School) -- El Matador
- O. Henry Junior High School -- Hoofbeat
- Pearce Junior High School (Pearce Middle School) -- The Pirate
- Pearce (James E. Pearce College Preparatory Academy) -- Yearbook
- Porter (T.N. Porter Junior High School) -- Panther Tracks
- University Junior High School -- Eagle Highlights, Eagle Events, Eagle's Flight, Leap Year Book, Eagles, Eagle Echoes, and The Eagle Scene
- Webb (Walter Prescott Webb Junior High School) -- The Ocelot
- West Ridge Middle School -- Wildcat Retrospect
High Schools
- Akins (W. Charles Akins High School) -- The Aerie
- Anderson (L.C. Anderson High School -- new Anderson) -- The Afterthought
- Anderson High School (old Anderson) -- The Yellow Jacket and The Geyser
- Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders -- The Constellation
- Austin High School -- The Violet Crown and The Comet
- Bowie (James Bowie High School) -- The Lone Star
- Connally (John B. Connally High School) -- The Governor
- Crockett (David Crockett High School) -- Texan
- Del Valle High School -- Cardinal
- Eastside Memorial High School at Johnston Campus -- Yearbook
- Hendrickson High School (Pflugerville) -- Talon
- Johnson (Lyndon Baines Johnson High School) -- Stetson
- Johnston (Albert Sidney Johnston High School) -- Confederate
- Lago Vista High School -- Valhalla
- Lake Travis High School -- Cavalcade and Excalibur
- Lanier (Sidney Lanier High School) -- Viking and Skalds
- Leander High School -- Lair
- Manor High School -- The Mustang
- Manor New Technology High School -- Yearbook
- McCallum (A. N. McCallum High School) -- Knight
- McNeil High School -- Maverick
- Pflugerville High School -- Panther's Paw
- Reagan (John H. Reagan High School) -- Spur
- Travis (William B. Travis High School) -- Rebel Roundup and Roundup
- Westlake High School -- El Paisano
- Westwood High School -- The Heritage
Private and Parochial Schools
- Hyde Park Baptist School -- Hidden in Plain Sight and Retrospect
- Kirby Hall School -- The Penguin
- Perry School -- Dragon Fire
- St. Edward's High School -- Cross and Anchor and The Edwardian and The Tiger (Available online through St. Edward's Univeristy)
- St. Stephen's Episcopal School -- The Deacon and The Shield
- St. Mary's Academy -- The Blue Star
- Texas School for the Deaf -- The Ranger and The Towers
Colleges and Universities
- Brackenridge Hospital School of Nursing -- Alba Mitra
- Concordia University -- The Concordian
- Huston-Tillotson College -- The Ramshead
- Seton School of Nursing -- Serviam
- St. Edward's University -- The Tower (Available online through St. Edward's University)
- Tillotson College -- The Bluebonnet Hill
- University of Texas -- The Cactus and Longhorn Yearbook
- University of Texas at Austin Law School -- The Peregrinus
- University of Texas Ex-Students Association Alumni -- Re-Cap and Gown
Have old yearbooks that aren't in our catalogue? Donate them to help us expand our collections!
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