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Preservation News and Events

 

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.

2020 Local Legend Awards

The 2020 Local Legends were named at the November 12 City Council meeting. Charlie Culpepper, George White, Juanita Jewel Shanks Craft and St. Paul AME Church honored for contributions to Round Rock’s history. See more about the honorees at the Local Legend Awards page.

Preservation events

• The Williamson Museum’s Georgetown Square location reopens to the public November 28! Appointments are required; refer to the events calendar for instructions.
• The Texas Historical Commission’s Texas History at Home project has posted a set of educational materials about the Chisholm Trail, one of the great Texas cattle trails of the post-Civil War era, which passed through Round Rock.

 

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) 2020 meeting schedule
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) 2021 meeting schedule  
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Goals for 2019-2020
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