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Preservation News and Events

May is National Preservation Month!
May is National Preservation Month, when local preservation and civic organizations spotlight their preservation programs and heritage tourism. This year’s activities include:

• Historic Preservation Month proclamation at April 22 City Council meeting
• Pioneer Day at Old Settlers Park Saturday, May 1 from 10-3! Free pioneer crafts and reenactments for kids sponsored by the Williamson Museum. Will move indoors if raining.
• Webinar “Anna Palm and Round Rock’s Swedish Immigrants” May 20 at 7 p.m. by Elroy Haverlah, author of Anna’s Journey and former pastor of Palm Valley Lutheran Church. Registration information to be posted here.
• Exhibits showcasing works about local history and landmarks:
  • • “Round Rock History Through the Eyes of Women” at the Library
    • “Plein Air Round Rock” at City Hall
    • Center Art Club exhibit in the Baca Center lobby
• New!  A Kid’s Guide to the History of Round Rock (pdf, 11×17)
• New!  Walking Guide to Historic Downtown Round Rock (11×17 print version/screen reading version)
• Get to know some of Round Rock’s historic landmarks by following the City on facebook and instagram
• Share your own photos of historic sites with hashtags #historicroundrock, #RoundRock, and #presemonth!
• Nominate a Local Legend for 2021!

Share your knowledge of Round Rock History
The City is currently recording a video series focused on places and areas with a rich historic background in Round Rock. If you have knowledge about a building or piece of land with an interesting history and would be interested in potentially serving as an interview subject for the video series, please contact kharding@roundrocktexas.gov or 512-218-5421.

Share your historic photos
The Historic Preservation office is trying to improve its photo record of Round Rock buildings. Photos of buildings that were later modified are particularly helpful, so we have a record of how they have changed over time. If you can help, contact Kerstin Harding at kharding@roundrocktexas.gov or 512-218-5428.

 

Historic Preservation in Round Rock

The City of Round Rock was founded in the 1840s where the Chisholm Trail crosses Brushy Creek, at the area now known as “Old Town.” In 1876, many of the businesses and residents moved to the current downtown area (“New Town”) when the railroad extended its tracks there. Since then, the City has grown steadily.

As it grows, the City of Round Rock works with owners of older and historic properties to encourage maintenance and upkeep, as well as retention of the historic character of buildings, structures, sites, and districts.  The Department of Planning and Development Services (PDS) manages the City’s historic preservation programs. These include:

• Advising property owners who want to renovate historic buildings and approving their proposed changes
• City-wide preservation planning
• Maintaining an inventory of historic properties
• Designating local landmarks and historic districts
• Managing a property tax exemption program available to historic property owners
• Educating the public about Round Rock’s history and the City’s preservation programs

Planning and Development Services Director Brad Wiseman presented an overview of Round Rock’s historic preservation program at the April 9, 2019 City Council packet briefing. For more information about the historic preservation program watch the presentation video or check out the historic preservation program slides (pdf).

 

 

Contact Us
Planning & Development Services Department
301 W. Bagdad Avenue, Suite 210 (map)
Round Rock, Texas 78664
Phone: (512) 218-5428
Fax: (512) 218-3286
Walk-in hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday