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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 will include:

• Historic Preservation Month proclamation at April 22 City Council meeting
• The Williamson Museum’s Pioneer Day at Old Settlers Park Saturday, May 1
• May 20 webinar on the history of Palm Valley by Elroy Haverlah, author of Anna’s Journey
• Art exhibits about local history at City Hall, the Library, and the Baca Center
• New guide to historic downtown Round Rock
• City social media will feature profiles of historic Round Rock properties
• Nominate a Local Legend!

Updates will be posted as Preservation Month approaches.

1920s Bungalow needs to relocate

Craftsman bungalow built ca. 1920s needs to be moved to avoid demolition. Footprint is roughly 50 ft. x 50 ft. including a 10-ft rear addition. Although identified as a property with significant historic integrity it was never designated. Property was occupied as an office until mid-2020. Preference will be given to proposals that keep the structure in Round Rock. Contact the Planning and Development Services Department at 512-218-5428 or kharding@roundrocktexas.gov for more information about the property.

 

Historic Preservation Program Overview 

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 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) 2021 meeting schedule  
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) 2020-2021 Goals
Certificate of Appropriateness application packet 2021
Historic Designation & Historic Overlay Zoning
Historic property Tax Exemption
2010-2013 Survey and Inventory of Historic Resources

Round Rock Historic Preservation Plan for 2020-2030
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