What Says 'Austin' to You?

H

Hornius Emeritus

2,500+ Posts
Hey Guys,

I'm working on a photo project that involves shooting shots of Austin icons, signs etc.... Lots of signs, actually. Naturally I'm trying to get the most down home, "Austin" type stuff. So, like a sign that says "Austin City Limits" would be one, or Scholtz Garten would be one, or the Broken Spoke, or the sign for Barton Springs or even the Bluebonnet Court down on the drag. It could even be the Enchiladas Tejanas at Trudy's or a margarita somewhere.


So my question is, what says "Austin" to you when you see it or hear somebody else say it? I need to get a list together and then go out and photograph it all.


Thanks.
 
The Frisco Shop, before it moves. The Tavern. The Stallion, oops, too late.
This might be cheating but there is a collection of historic Austin signs in the Threadgill's on Barton Springs Road.
Austin Motel, a must for any sign photoessay.
Hut's, been around awhile.
Matt's El Rancho, some may decry the touristy nature, but it has been an Austin institution for years, but not nearly as long as Spanish Village on Red River, which has a very old sign, I believe.
 
not sure if its possible, but a night time north facing picture of the magnolia sign lit up on congress with the capitol in the background. although ive grown to dislike 'mongolia', it seems to be a very austin place (esp w/ the drunkards after closing time).
 
My neighbors, mowing my yard the morning after we had to put my dog down.

That's Austin, and Texas, to me. It's people. Get a crowd of folks sitting outside at Phil's, shooting the breeze and watching their kids run around. Get a shot of an old man in pearl-snap shirt dancing with a pretty young girl at the Little Longhorn, both of them smiling and having a good time, with no expectations.

Austin is people who have been open, friendly, and kind. Those images are harder to capture, but they're enduring, and true. Remember, for all the great National Geographic cover shots over the years, the one that everyone remembers is the Afghan refugee girl with the green eyes -- humanity tells the story of places and events.
 
Cinema West (gone)
The goat in that dude's backyard near Cinema West (also gone)
Upper deck of 35
Leslie
Santa Claus, the bum at S. 1st and Ben White (gone)
Pronto's
 
Liberty Lunch
frown.gif
 
South Congress store fronts with barber shop included and the capitol building in the background down the street. I used to live there next to Capital Saddlery and down the street from the original Schlotsky's.
 
The bridge on 360, it is immediately recognizeable as Austin.

The Capitol Building.

Sixth Street.

Hate to say this one, but..... The bicycle cabs with Tito's Vodka Ads on them, one of a kind in Austin.

Leslie. If you have to ask, you haven't been in Austin long, but do so. When you see Leslie, you are Definitely in Austin!!!

The Stevie Ray Vaughn statue off the running trails downtown.

Duh, the UT tower!!!!! Especially when it is Orange, that is the BEST!!!
texasflag.gif
 
The Oasis at sunset.
The Texas Chili Parlor.
The rotunda from the floor, (or the floor from the rotunda) in the Capital.
The Gutenberg.
The Drag.
The Hole in the Wall.
 
Hoffbrau Steakhouse
Katz's
Amy's
Congress Ave Bridge/bats
Artz Rib House
Alamo Draft House
Paramount
Waterloo Ice House on 6th
Nasty's
View from the Oasis
Iron Works
Lady Bird Wildflower Center

Damn I love Austin. Thanks for making me remember why. I could go on and on...
 
Barton Springs (the springs)
Barton Springs (the road)
Zilker Park
360 Bridge
Congress
UT Tower
State Capitol
The Drag
Broken Spoke
Matt's El Rancho
Amy's Ice Cream
Town Lake
Congress Bridge
UT Campus
Austin Skyline
The Greenbelt

...off the top of my head
 
Trying to think of things not yet mentioned...

Ederly couples dancing at the Spoke
Jewelry tables next to the Co-op
Street preacher on the West Mall
Congress avenue at Christmas time
Pecan Street festival
Picnic on the Capitol grounds
Austin Club
Arial shot with Disch-Falk, DKR and Erwin center
Tailgate party
Street plaques on 6th street
Driskell lobby
 
I am an old geezer so I would say the painting of Freddie King with an armadillo bursting out of chest that hung in The Armadillo World Headquarters and later on at Steamboat 1874 on 6th Street.

I think it is hanging in Threadgill's World Headquaters somewhere now.
 
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