Bouldin Creek, Austin, Texas
Encyclopedia
Bouldin Creek is an older neighborhood in Austin, Texas
, originally created at the turn of the 20th century. With several historic homes remaining from that era, and countless more from the period of rapid growth in the 1920s and 30s that followed, this neighborhood has an undeniable historic charm. Bouldin Creek is also highly diverse, with a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and architectural styles blending together, resulting in a neighborhood that is uniquely Austin.
Bouldin Creek borders the South Congress
area to the east, and the major commercial area centered around South First to the west, with its marked Hispanic influence, forms another backbone of the neighborhood. Given its proximity to these areas and to Downtown Austin
, there are certainly areas of Bouldin Creek that have changed as result of gentrification, but the historic nature of the neighborhood and eccentricity of its residents mean it will always be a little bit different. For those who doubt the "weirdness" of South Austin, look no further than David Ansel, a famous resident who left his job in the tech sector to become The Soup Peddler; no one better captures the spirit of the neighborhood.
Bouldin Creek's diverse roots are visible everywhere. In just a quick walk around the neighborhood, one can find the historic Victorian mansion Green Pastures once belonging to famous activist John Henry Faulk
, the St. Anne African Methodist Episcopal Church (originally constructed in 1916) on Newton Street, and the beautiful mission-style Holy Name of Mary Orthodox Church at South Third Street. In the South First area, the Mexican bakeries, tattoo shops, art galleries, and unusual shops reflect the diversity of the neighborhood and the resident's desire to support local business. Another integral part of the neighborhood is the Texas School for the Deaf
; its enormous campus occupies the entire area bounded by South Congress, Elizabeth Street, Barton Springs Road, and South First. Originally created in the mid-19th century, the school underwent a massive renovation and expansion during the early 1990s.
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, originally created at the turn of the 20th century. With several historic homes remaining from that era, and countless more from the period of rapid growth in the 1920s and 30s that followed, this neighborhood has an undeniable historic charm. Bouldin Creek is also highly diverse, with a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and architectural styles blending together, resulting in a neighborhood that is uniquely Austin.
South Congress
South Congress is a neighborhood located on South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, United States. It is also a nationally-known shopping and cultural district famous for its many eclectic small retailers, restaurants, music and art venues and, more recently, food trucks.South Congress begins at...
area to the east, and the major commercial area centered around South First to the west, with its marked Hispanic influence, forms another backbone of the neighborhood. Given its proximity to these areas and to Downtown Austin
Downtown Austin
Downtown Austin is the central business district of Austin, Texas. Downtown is located on the north bank of the Colorado River. The approximate borders of Downtown include Lamar Boulevard to the west, 11th Street and sometimes Martin Luther King, Jr...
, there are certainly areas of Bouldin Creek that have changed as result of gentrification, but the historic nature of the neighborhood and eccentricity of its residents mean it will always be a little bit different. For those who doubt the "weirdness" of South Austin, look no further than David Ansel, a famous resident who left his job in the tech sector to become The Soup Peddler; no one better captures the spirit of the neighborhood.
Bouldin Creek's diverse roots are visible everywhere. In just a quick walk around the neighborhood, one can find the historic Victorian mansion Green Pastures once belonging to famous activist John Henry Faulk
John Henry Faulk
John Henry Faulk from Austin, Texas was a storyteller and radio show host. His successful lawsuit against blacklisters of the entertainment industry helped to bring an end to the Hollywood blacklist.-Early life:...
, the St. Anne African Methodist Episcopal Church (originally constructed in 1916) on Newton Street, and the beautiful mission-style Holy Name of Mary Orthodox Church at South Third Street. In the South First area, the Mexican bakeries, tattoo shops, art galleries, and unusual shops reflect the diversity of the neighborhood and the resident's desire to support local business. Another integral part of the neighborhood is the Texas School for the Deaf
Texas School for the Deaf
Texas School for the Deaf is a state-operated primary and secondary school for deaf children in Austin, Texas. It was first opened in 1857 "in an old frame house, three log cabins, and a smokehouse." The school struggled under inadequate funding during the Civil War and its aftermath with the...
; its enormous campus occupies the entire area bounded by South Congress, Elizabeth Street, Barton Springs Road, and South First. Originally created in the mid-19th century, the school underwent a massive renovation and expansion during the early 1990s.