Waco: Austin Avenue

Colorized postcard of Austin Avenue in Waco in a 1906 city street scene with pedestrians, horse-drawn carriages, large commercial buildings, and courthouse at the end of the street

1900 view towards first City Hall. (Texas Collection, Baylor University)

Aerial view of commercial square with a courthouse in the center and trolley tracks around one side and suspension bridge in background. Photo circa early 1900s

Town square with first City Hall. (Texas Collection, Baylor University)

1950s colorized postcard of Austin Avenue lined with neon signs and stores named Arthur Murray, Penny’s, Elite Café, Cox’s, Goldstein’s, and Roosevelt Hotel

View towards 1928 City Hall. (Texas Collection, Baylor University)

Aerial view of commercial square with a courthouse in the center and suspension bridge in background. Photo circa 1950s

Town square with 1928 City Hall that survived the tornado. (Texas Collection, Baylor University)

1950s photo of Austin Avenue lined with businesses named Roosevelt Hotel, Sanger Brothers, Wards, and Pipkin Drugs

1950s view west. (Texas Collection, Baylor University)

People searching demolished buildings for survivors following a tornado in 1953

Devastation of 1953 tornado. (Texas Collection, Baylor University)

Large groups of people walking along Austin Avenue when it was turned into a pedestrian mall in the 1970s

1970s “Austin Avenue Mall”, (Texas Collection, Baylor University)

Austin Avenue when it was turned into a pedestrian mall in the 1970s showing fountains, awnings, modern lighting, and landscaping

Fountains, awnings, modern lighting, and landscaping were pedestrian friendly. (Texas Collection, Baylor University)

Austin Avenue, Between 4th  and 13th Streets

Although not a town square in the traditional sense, the main commercial street acted as a hub of downtown social and commercial activity. 

The gaps between buildings in the town (now parking lots) are in many cases the result of the 1953 tornado. A 1970s urban renewal experiment created a pedestrian mall that ended in 1985 allowing two-way traffic once again.

Continue south on Austin Avenue, notice the rather tall building on your right.

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