Historic Preservation - City of Round Rock

Preservation News and Events

May is National Preservation Month
Local history and historic preservation organizations have a number of special activities scheduled for National Preservation Month:
May 2 and 9: Kids activities at Music on Main (6 p.m. at Prete Plaza)
May 3: Preservation Leadership Forum’s webinar on social media (1 p.m. at the City Council Chambers)
May 5: Pioneer Days: the Williamson Museum presents reenactments and pioneer crafts (10-3:00 at Old Settlers Park)
May 12: “Along the Chisholm Trail Through Round Rock’s Old Town” by Karen Thompson (7:00 p.m. at the City Council Chambers)

Nominations for the 2018 Local Legend Awards due June 1
The Historic Preservation Commission is seeking nominations for the 2018 Local Legend Awards. The Award recognizes individuals, families, businesses, groups, publications, and organizations that have had a positive and lasting impact on the culture, development, and history of Round Rock. Please see the Local Legend page for Nomination instructions and selection criteria.

Groundbreaking for the Stagecoach Inn relocation site
Members of Round Rock Preservation, the Historic Preservation Commission, and City staff ceremonially broke ground for the new the Stagecoach Inn’s new site on March 12. Construction is beginning on the new foundation there, and the Inn will be moved in April.

City Council approves contract for Stagecoach Inn relocation
At its February 8 meeting the City Council approved a contract with Phoenix I Restoration and Construction to relocate, repair and stabilize the Stagecoach Inn. Subcontractor H.D. Snow and Son will perform the structural move. Additional information is posted on the Stagecoach Inn pag e.

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) 2018 meeting schedule
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Goals for 2017-2018
Certificate of Appropriateness application packet for 2018
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)
Historic Preservation Commission Schedule (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