Travis Heights, Austin, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Travis Heights-Fairview Park Historic District
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Travis Heights Elementary School
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| Location | Austin, Texas |
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| NRHP reference No. | 100006796 |
| Added to NRHP | July 30, 2021 |
Travis Heights is a historic neighborhood in south Austin, Texas. It is bordered by Lady Bird Lake to the north and Interstate 35 to the east. Congress Avenue is on its west side, and Oltorf Street is to the south. This area also includes Fairview Park, an older neighborhood connected to the same developers.
Travis Heights was started in 1912 by Newning, Swisher, and General Stacy. However, it didn't grow much until the 1920s. General Stacy donated the land for Stacy Park, which is located along Blunn Creek. This park, along with the "Big Stacy" spring-fed pool and the "Little Stacy" park and swimming pool, are named after him. The pools were built during the Great Depression as a WPA project.
Travis Heights was first planned as a fancy area for wealthy people. The nearby Fairview Park was developed earlier, in the late 1800s, but it didn't really become popular. It wasn't until Travis Heights grew in the 1920s that living south of the river became a good idea. Today, Travis Heights has a mix of large mansions, smaller homes, and cool apartments. It is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Austin. Being close to South Congress, Downtown Austin, and major highways makes it a great place to live.
Another cool thing about the neighborhood is how close it is to South Congress Avenue, often called "SoCo." South Congress is full of trendy cafes and shops. It attracts many tourists and young people from downtown Austin.
The Blunn Creek Nature Preserve is nearly 40 acres within Travis Heights. It has trails and historical markers. You can find out more about the creek's history and nature on the Austin Parks & Recreation website. Travis Heights is part of City Council District 9.
Schools in Travis Heights
Students in Travis Heights attend schools in the Austin Independent School District (AISD).
- Travis Heights Elementary School
- Sarah Lively Middle School
- Travis High School
About Sarah Lively Middle School
Sarah Lively Middle School was once known as Fulmore Middle School. It was named after Zachary Taylor Fulmore, who was a soldier and judge. A one-room schoolhouse was built in 1886. A new brick school building replaced it in 1911, and that's when it was named Fulmore.
Later, former students from the 1960s to the 1980s wanted to change the name. They did not want the school named after someone connected to the Confederacy. They suggested naming it after Sarah Ann Lively, a teacher who started working there in 1964. In 2018, the AISD board voted to rename the school. Sarah Lively passed away in 2021 at the age of 88.
