A Mid-Century Blogger Writes a Pocket Guide to Austin

By day and by trade, I'm a copywriter. I recently came out with my first product, a pocket guide for Austin, TX.

It's called Austin Sidekick and it has all the tourist spots and local hangouts listed, and a handy map to help you get around town. A few of my favorite vintage stores even made it in.

If you're visiting Austin anytime soon, you can buy it on Etsy.

Daytripping in Austin, TX

The Daytripper finally did an episode about Austin. South Austin to be specific.

For those of you not in the KLRU (aka Austin's PBS) viewing area, The Daytripper is a show about Chet Garner, a guy who takes day trips all around Texas. You can check out all the episodes here to get a pretty good idea of what to explore in the Lone Star state.

Austin, TX Neighborhoods

For those readers not from Austin, TRIBEZA is a local lifestyle mag. Every month they have a theme and this month's theme is Austin neighborhoods. You can read the entire section on neighborhoods in Austin here and the piece about Crestview (a mid-century Austin neighborhood) here.

I don't know all the neighborhoods in the article as well as I'd like to, but those I do know seem to be represented accurately.

Mid-Century Neighborhoods in Austin: Highland

Highland, Austin TX
There isn't much information to be found about the Highland neighborhood, but we did consider it when we were looking for a mid-century home so I felt it should be added to the list of mid-century neighborhoods in Austin. As our real estate agent put it, "it has the style of home you're looking for (mid-century) in a neighborhood that hasn't been found by everyone else yet." A lot of people might consider Highland a bit rough around the edges right now, but it's fairly family friendly and getting friendlier. And generally, mid-century homes are a little cheaper in Highland than in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Highland is directly north of the Northfield neighborhood (aka North Loop), which is one of the best spots for vintage shopping in Austin, and east of Brentwood. It shares a lot connections with Brentwood, including a combined neighborhood plan.

Housing Data From the 2000 census
Total housing units: 7,081
Homes built between 1940 and 1959: 1,142 (16.3%)
Median housing value: $89,300
Median mortgage: $887
Household population: 17,790
Average household size: 2.59
Average family size: 3.47
Owner-occupied housing: 66.2%
Renter-occupied housing: 33.8%
Median age: 27.1

Resources
Highland Neighborhood Association

Mid-Century Neighborhoods in Austin: Rosedale

Rosedale, Austin TX
The Rosedale neighborhood is located directly south of Allandale and Brentwood. Rosedale is probably known more for cottages, bungalows and modern builds than mid-century homes, which is why is perfect for finding that mid-century starter home. As the Rosedale neighborhood association puts it:

The majority of the homes in the Rosedale area were built during the 1930s and 1940s, giving them an allure not found with newer construction. The many renovation projects and new construction throughout the neighborhood lend a sense of vitality and renewal. The population of the neighborhood is a fabulous blend of young families, single professionals, and original owners who raised their children here and have many tales to tell.

Located in north central Austin, Rosedale is walking distance from Burnet Rd. — home to some of the best greasy-spoon diners, dive bars and vintage furniture stores in Austin.

History
Much of the land now known as the Rosedale neighborhood was first purchased by George Spear from the Republic of Texas in 1841. After his death the Rosedale neighborhood, like many neighborhoods in this area of Austin, was turned into farmland, sometime in or around 1866. In the early 1900s, Frank Taylor Ramsey, namesake of Ramsey park, turned a large parcel of that farmland into a nursery, which is why there are many large trees throughout Rosedale. In 1929, the land south of current-day Ramsey park was divided into lots and named Rosedale A, after the many Rosedale Arbor Vitae evergreens in the area. In 1931, the rest of the Rosedale neighborhood was divided into lots, then called Rosedale B, and in 1933 the Ramsey family donated the land that's now Ramsey Park to the city of Austin, which dedicated the park in 1934 after purchasing some adjoining lots.

Housing Data From the 2000 census
Total housing units: 4,157
Homes built between 1940 and 1959: 1,962 (47.2%)
Median year built: 1959
Median housing value: $171,600
Median mortgage: $1,300
Household population: 7,128
Average household size: 1.8
Average family size: 2.78
Owner-occupied housing: 39.8%
Renter-occupied housing: 60.2%
Median age: 35.2

Resources
Rosedale Neighborhood Association

Mid-Century Neighborhoods in Austin: Brentwood

Brentwood, Austin TX
Brentwood completes the triangle of mid-century Austin neighborhoods in northwest Austin - the others being Crestview and Allendale. Move to Austin has the best simple breakdown of the area that I've read:

Crestview has the oldest homes, built in the 1940-50s, and are the smallest of this area (but to me, have the most charm). Brentwood was built next in the 1950s and 60s, and the homes are a little bit bigger. Allendale came next, in the 1960s and 70s, and has the largest floorplans.

Brentwood is home to many unofficial Austin landmarks: Dart Bowl (try the enchiladas), Threadgill's (Janis Jopli's old stomping ground), the Wall of Welcome (120 feet of welcome) and Burnet Road (shops, eats and chicken shit bingo). There are a variety of home styles in Brentwood. Classic mid-century style homes are pretty easy to come by, as are bungalows and modern homes.

The Brentwood Neighborhood Association has a pretty on-the-mark description of the neighborhood:

Brentwood is now a trendy and popular area that is home to gorgeous tree-lined streets and established homes. Many of the homes are bungalow style homes, normally one story, and have a low to medium pitched roof and simple, rectangular shapes. Many were originally two bedrooms and were purchased by GIs who wanted to start families following WWII. The combination of original residents who never left the 'hood and a growing number of young professsionals have built a strong community which fits perfectly with the style of Austin.

History
The area that's now called Brentwood was once cotton farm in the rural part of north Austin. Austin purchased the farm and annexed most of Brentwood in 1946. The remaining parts of the neighborhood, including Brentwood Park, were annexed in 1951, which is also the year Brentwood Elementary School opened.

Housing Data From the 2000 census
Total housing units: 4,157
Homes built between 1940 and 1959: 1,962 (47.2%)
Median housing value: $171,600
Median mortgage: $1,300
Household population: 7,128
Average household size: 1.8
Average family size: 2.68
Owner-occupied housing: 41.7%
Renter-occupied housing: 58.3%
Median age: 35.2

Resources
Brentwood Neighborhood Association

Mid-Century Neighborhoods in Austin: Crestview

Crestview, Austin TX
If you're looking to find a mid-century ranch home in Austin, then Crestview is for you. Located in north central Austin, most of the homes in Crestview have kept their exterior charm. Inside you're just as likely to find something that's been completely gutted and rebuilt as you are original carpeting.

History
Known for it's tree-lined streets and post-war homes, it's hard to believe that Crestview was once farm land, the Richcreek Dairy farm to be precise. In 1946, the city of Austin annexed the eastern half of what is now Crestview and by 1948 developer A.B. Beddow had started building the Crestview neighborhood. Beddow was dedicated to building a family-oriented community with an elementary school, independent grocer, pharmacy, and barber shop all located at the center of the small community, the Crestview Shopping Center. If you're not in Austin you still may have caught a glimpse of Crestview in Austinite Richard Linklater's film Dazed and Confused, which featured Top Notch Hamburgers, a Crestview staple since 1971 (and my favorite burger joint in town).

Housing Data From the 2000 census
Total housing units: 10,131
Homes built between 1940 and 1959: 3,721 (36.7%)
Median year built: 1964
Median housing value: $131,200
Median mortgage: $1,096
Household population: 21,206
Average household size: 2.14
Average family size: 2.78
Owner-occupied housing: 56.8%
Renter-occupied housing: 43.2%
Median age: 35.7

Resources
Crestview Neighborhood Association

Mid-Century Austin Homes: 6205 Treadwell Blvd.

When I was doing some research for my Allandale Mid-Century Neighborhoods in Austin post, I ran across this video.


This is exactly why a lot of mid-century home fans in Austin love Allandale; you can find homes like these with a lot of the original elements and details. With a little love, elbow grease and imagination, you can turn them into your mid-century castle.

Mid-Century Neighborhoods in Austin: Allandale

Allandale, Austin TX
If you ask any who's lived in Austin for any amount of time, they'll probably tell you that Allandale is the mid-century Austin neighborhood. Mid-century homes, especially mid-century ranches, are more the rule than the exception. Once outside of city limits and considered a northwest suburb of Austin, Allandale is now well within the bounds of what Austinites consider central Austin.

History
The Allandale neighborhood itself dates back to the 1930s. Going much farther back, the area was owned by George W. Davis, who was given the land in 1841 by the President of the Republic of Texas for his service in the battle at San Jacinto. Davis' decedents sold most of the 3,154 acres he was given, however a few still live in Allandale and the Davis family cemetery, a Texas Historical Cemetery, can be found within the borders of Allandale.

Housing Data From the 2000 census
Total housing units: 10,131
Homes built between 1940 and 1959: 3,721 (36.7%)
Median year built: 1964
Median housing value: $131,200
Median mortgage: $1,096
Household population: 21,206
Average household size: 2.14
Average family size: 2.78
Owner-occupied housing: 56.8%
Renter-occupied housing: 43.2%
Median age: 35.7

Resources
Allandale Neighborhood Association