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South Lamar, Austin, Texas facts for kids

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South Lamar

SoLa
Businesses along S. Lamar Boulevard
Businesses along S. Lamar Boulevard
Country United States
State Texas
City Austin
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
78704
Area code(s) 512, 737

South Lamar, often called SoLa, is a lively neighborhood in south Austin, Texas, USA. It's known for its unique shops, restaurants, and music spots. This area is bordered by major roads and other neighborhoods like Barton Hills and Westgate.

You'll find different types of homes here, from houses to apartments and condos. Many homes are rented, making it a popular place for people who want to live close to the city. South Lamar is part of District 5 for the city council.

A Famous Music Spot: The Broken Spoke

One of the most famous places in South Lamar is

The Broken Spoke dance hall

The Broken Spoke. It's a classic Texas dance hall that opened way back in 1964. The co-owner, William Richard "Joe" Baland, helped start this special place.

The Broken Spoke is famous for its live music. You can still hear bands playing there from Tuesday to Saturday nights. Another co-owner, James White, was known for finding amazing local bands. He also booked "outlaw" bands. These were groups that wanted to play music their own way, different from the popular "Nashville sound."

Many big names in music started at The Broken Spoke. Famous artists like Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson played there. Even popular groups like The Chicks and country superstar George Strait performed at The Broken Spoke when they were just beginning their careers. It's a true piece of Austin's music history!

Who Lives in South Lamar?

In 2009, about 8,821 people lived in the South Lamar neighborhood. This area is quite busy, with many people living close together. About 55% of the people were white, 35% were Hispanic, 5% were Black, and 2% were Asian.

The average yearly income for families in South Lamar was around $39,319. The average value of a detached house in 2009 was about $213,391.

Schools in the Neighborhood

Students in South Lamar attend schools that are part of the Austin Independent School District. These schools help kids learn and grow.

  • Zilker Elementary School
  • O. Henry Middle School
  • Austin High School

Getting Around South Lamar

It's easy to get around South Lamar and to other parts of Austin using public transportation. CapMetro offers bus services in the area.

The Route 803 is a special express bus. It travels along South Congress Avenue, connecting South Lamar to the rest of the city quickly. This route has several stops within the neighborhood, like Barton Springs and Broken Spoke. You can also connect to other bus routes at the Westgate Transit Center.

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