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Preservation News and Events
May is National Preservation Month
Through the month we will be posting pictures and information about Round Rock’s history and historic properties on the city’s social media channels. Do you have photos of old Round Rock to share?
- Nominate those who’ve had a lasting and positive impact on Round Rock for the Local Legend Award! Nominations are accepted year-round but must be received by May 29 to be considered for the 2020 awards. Nomination forms and selection criteria are posted on the Local Legends page.
- The Williamson Museum hosts livestreams every Wednesday and Saturday at noon. Join them at https://www.facebook.com/WilliamsonMuseum/
- Learn about Round Rock history through the Historic Round Rock Collection
- Learn about historic properties in Williamson County from the Williamson County Historic Commission
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Virtual Preservation Month will post new online experiences daily in May
Historic Preservation Plan adopted
At its November 19, 2019 meeting the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) voted to recommend the new Historic Preservation Plan for inclusion in the City’s comprehensive plan Round Rock 2030, with anticipated adoption in 2020. For questions, please contact the Round Rock 2030 team at (512)-218-5428 or roundrock2030@roundrocktexas.gov
Learn more about Round Rock 2030
Not sure what the historic preservation program currently includes? See the presentation below!
Historic Preservation Program Overview
Click to open presentation video
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).
Historic Preservation in Round Rock
The St. Charles Hotel (built ca. 1870) is now Williamson Museum on the Chisholm Trail
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
Find the Information You Need
Historic properties in Round Rock
Historic Architecture in Round Rock
Designated Historic Landmarks
Downtown Historic District (National Register District)
Chisholm Trail Historic Area
Downtown Historic Building Information Placards
Historic Round Rock Guide and Walking Tour (map/brochure, pdf)
Local history
The Historic Round Rock Collection
Preservation Minutes (videos about Round Rock history and preservation)
Local Legends
Local History Resources
Sam Bass and the Great Round Rock Shootout of July 19, 1878 (brochure, pdf)
Preservation program information
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) 2020 meeting schedule
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Goals for 2019-2020
Certificate of Appropriateness application packet
Historic Designation & Historic Overlay Zoning
Historic property Tax Exemption
2010-2013 Survey and Inventory of Historic Resources
Designation of Historic Landmarks and Historic Districts (brochure, pdf)
Historic Design Guidelines for Residential Properties (pdf)
Historic Design Guidelines for Commercial Properties (pdf)
Partial Tax Exemption for Historically Significant Properties (brochure, pdf)
Protecting Historic Properties: A Citizen’s Guide to Section 106 Review (brochure, 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