Historic Research Resources
Austin Public Library
You can access the following resources on any public Library computer or on a personal device that's connected to the Library's WiFi network.
Ancestry Library Edition
Ancestry Library Edition is a comprehensive online source of information for genealogical research, with billions of names in over 6,000 databases.
Austin American-Statesman (Historical), 1871-1978
The Austin American Statesman (Historical) includes searchable articles from Austin, Texas, newspapers for the years 1871-1980. Articles display in PDF format.
Austin History Center Digital Collections Site
As the local history division of the Austin Public Library, the Austin History Center provides the public with information about the history, current events, and activities of Austin and Travis County. Use the digital collections to conduct research.
Austin History Center Research Request Form
Fill out the form to place an order with the Austin History Center for in-depth research services.
Texas Digital Sanborn Maps, 1867-1970
Texas Digital Sanborn Maps provide detailed property and land-use records of Texas towns and cities from 1867 to 1970.
Historic Design Standards: Local and National
Historic Design Standards
Design standards were adopted into the City code in Fall 2022.
The Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
The standards offer four distinct approaches to the treatment of historic properties - preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction with accompanying guidelines for each.
Identifying Historic Designated Sites
Historic Austin Parks
View a list of historic Austin parks.
Historic Property Viewfinder
Use the Viewfinder to find out if a property is a historic landmark, located in a locally designated historic district, or a National Register district.
Historic Surveys and Determinations of Eligibility
City of Austin historic surveys highlight potential landmarks and historic districts.
National Register Database and Research
The official list of the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places national program.
Texas Historical Commission ATLAS
Features more than 300,000 historic site records.
Travis County Archives
Features more than 300,000 historic site records.
Additional City of Austin Resources
City of Austin Local Historic Districts
Managed by the City of Austin Planning Department's Historic Preservation Office (HPO), locally designated historic districts offer the strongest protection and greatest benefit for older districts. See the historic district application guide and application form.
City of Austin Sign Guidelines for Historic Districts and Landmarks
Submit a Historic Review application to the Historic Preservation Office for signs in National Register Historic Districts or at a City Historic Landmark. To be eligible for landmark designation, a building must be 50+ years old, retain historic integrity, and meet two of five criteria for significance: architecture; associations with important people, groups, or events; archaeology; community value; or landscape feature.
City of Austin Landmark Application
Historic designations are required of all Heritage Preservation Grants. The Historic Preservation Office and Historic Landmark Commission review all applications for City Historic Landmark designation.
City of Austin Small Business Classes
The City of Austin Economic Development Department's Small Business Division offers ongoing classes to support the success of Austin's small businesses and non-profits.
Tax Credit Programs
Texas Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program
A state tax credit program for certified rehabilitation of historic structures.
Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program
A federal tax credit program administered in Texas by the National Park Service in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), that requires projects to meet the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.