Category: In and Around Austin

Amazing Things, In and Around Austin, My Friends, The Construction Biz, Thoughts and Musings4 Comments

Haufler Motors

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Udo Haufler was a trader at heart. He was born and raised in the Twin Sisters area Blanco County. He started buying and selling used vehicles after the war and settling in Austin. This is a car lot he was operating in 1953 in downtown Austin. I’ve never been clear what the actual address was. But I think it was possibly in the 2nd or 3rd block and a few blocks east of Congress Ave. He traveled far and wide buying the best quality used vehicles he could find. Those travels took him to the Lincoln Mercury Dealership in Conroe … Continue reading Haufler Motors

In and Around Austin, The History of Texas, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Highways In and Out of Austin Throughout the Years.

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In just over 100 years the highways around Austin changed numbers several times. This is a look back to see how much things changed. 1917 Map of Austin 1936 Map of Austin and Central Texas 1936 Map of Austin and Central Texas 1942 Map of Austin 1950 Map of Austin 1954 Map of Austin 1960 Map of Austin 1973 Map of Austin and Central Texas Continue reading Highways In and Out of Austin Throughout the Years.

Amazing Things, Another Daily Happening, Crazy Times, In and Around Austin, The Construction Biz, The Early Days, Thoughts and Musings2 Comments

I Always Wanted To Do The Right Things, But Circumstances Can Get In The Way

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Back in the early part of the 1970s we had a project relocating a water line on South 1st Street where a big “S” in Williamson Creek. (as shown in the photo below). Three new bridges were be built. We were on the tail end of that job, cleaning up and pressure testing. The City of Austin had a crew that performed the pressure tests and they came out twice and each time the line failed. The General Contractor that was building the bridges had already started work and it was imperative that we get that line approved or it … Continue reading I Always Wanted To Do The Right Things, But Circumstances Can Get In The Way

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Roberta Crenshaw

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I became acquainted with this lady by owning land that adjoined property she owned in south Austin. Her obituary tells her life story far better than I can. She truly was a remarkable lady. The things she did will leave a mark of beauty on Austin for an eternity. Civic pioneer Roberta Crenshaw dies at 90 Parks activist fought to keep Town Lake serene. By Dick Stanley AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Wednesday, February 09, 2005 Lady Bird Johnson often gets the credit for Town Lake’s beauty and its popular hike-and-bike trail, but when she was praised for that, Mrs. Johnson used to … Continue reading Roberta Crenshaw

Amazing Things, Crazy Times, In and Around Austin, Texas History, The Construction Biz, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Montopolis, Travis County, Texas

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Correcting The Record: I have been told by a noted Travis County Historian that the photo of The Montopolis Courthouse, Travis County has been found not be the case. There was no such Courthouse at Montopolis. My personal story about the area: I have very fond memories of the Montopolis Area of Austin. I really didn’t know much about the history.My construction office and yard was at 2801 Montopolis Dr. for about a decade back in the 70s & 80s. It was the old homestead that included a stone house, garage apartment behind and a metal shop building farther back. … Continue reading Montopolis, Travis County, Texas

In and Around Austin, Texas HistoryLeave a comment

Town Lake, back when that was the name

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An early photo of the railroad crossing the Colorado River (now Lady Bird Lake) downtown Austin.This was taken south of the river looking north, a few blocks from the Austin Train Depot. The large building to the east of the tracks is the Seaholm Power Plant. Above photo appears that the Lake is just starting to be filled. There is real beauty looking at downtown Austin, the railroad bridge and the now decommissioned Seaholm Power Plant. The second bridge in photo above is the railroad bridge. The continuation of the railroad bridge to the north as it passes Seaholm Power … Continue reading Town Lake, back when that was the name

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Nothing is ever plain or simple in Austin

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The Pfluger Pedestrian & Bicycle Bridge is a good example of this. While I considered the cost to be extravagant for a pedestrian bridge, I have grown fond of it over the years. It’s a beautiful addition to the city, especially the way it is lighted, as shown in the wonderful drone shot.Christopher V. ShermanOverAustin.com https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_D._Pfluger_Pedestrian_and_Bicycle_Bridge This is a link to a video I took back in July 2016 from the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/EvCPwLy92QVJWFtv/?mibextid=WC7FNe Continue reading Nothing is ever plain or simple in Austin

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KRUGER’S JEWELERS, Austin, Texas

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An Austin Institution !!!! My wife, Madeline, and I bought our wedding rings from a very young David Kruger, back in the fall of 1971. I’m not for sure, but he may have still been in college, working there part time. He dealt with this very young couple (we had both just turned 19) so nicely. You knew he was meant for the jewelry business ! On November 6, we will have been wearing these rings for 53 years. This article was in a special addition of the Austin American-Statesman March 2, 1986. Current photos of Kruger’s Jewelers Continue reading KRUGER’S JEWELERS, Austin, Texas