Northwest Hills, Austin, Texas facts for kids

Northwest Hills is a neighborhood located in the northwestern part of Austin, Texas. It is sometimes called Far West because of its main street. This area is a suburban community in the United States.

History of Northwest Hills

How Northwest Hills Was Developed

In the 1950s and 1960s, David Barrow Sr., Edward Barrow, and their team helped Austin grow a lot. They developed land in both flat areas and hilly regions. David Barrow Sr. was also important for building Texas State Highway Loop 1, known as "Mopac." This highway runs along the east side of Northwest Hills.

Mopac was built in 1966 to help people travel more easily. Before Mopac, residents had to drive far to get to downtown Austin. David Barrow Sr. showed that Austin needed better roads for people living in the northwest.

Expanding into the Hills

The Barrows first bought land on Balcones Drive. Then, they started developing areas near Mount Bonnell, which overlooks the Colorado River. Slowly, they bought more land deeper into the hills. This is how Northwest Hills grew.

At first, the Barrows didn't plan to develop Northwest Hills. But they saw that wealthy families were moving to Austin. They believed that if Austin needed an upscale area, it would be in hilly places like Northwest Hills. So, they began buying small pieces of land, developing them, and then moving to more rugged areas.

Buying the Land

Much of the land in Northwest Hills was owned by M.E. Hart, a Canadian businessman, and a man called Capitan Knox. The Barrows made a deal with Hart to buy the land in parts. This was called a "rolling option." They would buy sections of land at its current market price.

Both sides benefited from this deal. The Barrows didn't have enough money to buy all the land at once. Hart sold the land at higher prices over time because the value of the properties increased as the neighborhood grew. By the 1950s, the Barrows and their partners owned about 2,500 acres of the 3,500 acres developed in northwest Austin.

Unique Neighborhood Design

The Barrows' way of developing the land was special for its time. They wanted to create a "new" town. But they also wanted it to feel connected to Austin's main city areas. Balcones Drive, on the east side of Northwest Hills, was designed to be like the Colorado River downtown.

Far West Boulevard, which crosses Northwest Hills, was meant to be like Congress Avenue, Austin's main downtown street. The Barrows also planned for a Missouri Pacific Railroad system near the neighborhood. They also wanted Far West Boulevard to connect to Airport Boulevard, a major road in southeast Austin.

Geography of Northwest Hills

Where is Northwest Hills?

Northwest Hills is located on the northwestern side of Austin. People sometimes call it Far West because of Far West Boulevard. This main street starts at Mopac on the east and goes deep into the residential areas on the west. It ends near Ladera Norte street, close to Capital of Texas Highway.

The largest shopping area in the neighborhood is between Mopac and Mesa Drive. Mesa Drive crosses Far West Boulevard. This area has many local and national businesses, stores, restaurants, apartments, and offices. The streets closest to Far West Boulevard are the most crowded parts of Northwest Hills.

Homes and Community Life

Architecture Styles

Most houses in Northwest Hills have a Colonial, Californian ranch, or Texas Tuscan villa style. Beyond Mesa Drive, many homes have a typical western Austin look. These are large family homes with big garages, nice yards, and old trees. The common building materials are brick and limestone.

Community and Residents

The people living in Northwest Hills are mostly middle and upper-middle class. The area is often described as "upscale." Residents are usually very involved in their community. They work with the City of Austin on zoning rules. This helps make sure the neighborhood keeps its high quality of life.

Even though it's mostly for families, the area is also popular with college students. This is because there are many condominiums, townhouses, and apartment buildings. Most students live in the lower part of the neighborhood. Streets like Greystone and Wood Hollow connect to Far West Boulevard.

Culture in Northwest Hills

Did you know that Jimmy Buffett wrote his famous song "Margaritaville" on Shadow Valley Drive in Northwest Hills?

There are also Christian churches in Northwest Hills. These include Northwest Hills United Methodist Church and St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic Church.

Fourth of July Parade

Every year since 1972, the Northwest Austin Civic Association (NWACA) hosts a Fourth of July parade. This group includes residents from Northwest Hills. On average, over 2,000 Austin residents join the parade each year.

The parade features a band, dance teams, old cars, small pets, and fire trucks. There's also a special group called the Ladies Lawn Chair Brigade. These women march down the street dressed in red, white, and blue, carrying aluminum chairs.

Education in Northwest Hills

Northwest Hills is part of the Austin Independent School District. Here are some of the schools located in the neighborhood:

• Doss Elementary School
• Hill Elementary School
• Murchison Middle School
• Anderson High School
• St. Theresa's Catholic School, which is next to the church of the same name.

Transportation in Northwest Hills

Bus Services

The Northwest Hills area has several bus lines. These are provided by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority ("Capital Metro"). Capital Metro is Austin's public transportation provider.

Highways for Travel

Far West Boulevard connects to Mopac. Mopac is a highway that runs from north to south Austin. It's a good alternative to Interstate 35. Mopac also has an 11-mile toll road called the Mopac Express Lane. This lane runs both northbound and southbound. It stretches from Cesar Chavez Street in the south to Parmer Lane in the north.