Since the 1950s, the staff at the Austin History Center has maintained three sets of vertical files, filled with news clippings, pamphlets, ephemera and other printed materials. These files are organized according to subject and are often a source of information that cannot be found elsewhere. They are definitely our most popular reference source and are a good place to begin your research on local topics.

The Center maintains over nine thousand subject folders that document local groups, businesses, places, and events. Some highlights include the construction of the Texas Capitol, Juneteenth celebrations, the Armadillo World Headquarters, the moonlight towers, and Barton Springs. An index to these files may be accessed in our Reading Room. Many of these Austin Files have corresponding photo files.

A list of subject files, arranged by Subject or Alphabetically is available here:

Austin files by Subject
Alphabetical listing of all items in Austin Files

Information about the lives of more than ten thousand area residents, both contemporary and historical, can be located in the biography files of the Austin History Center. The files document the lives of some of Travis County's earliest residents in the 19th century, and local prominent figures of the 20th century. Many of our biography files have corresponding files in our photo collection. The Austin Public Library on-line catalog includes records for these biography files. To determine whether we have a biography file for a specific individual, you may do a keyword search, using the terms "biography file" and [last name] and [first name].

We have files, arranged by street address, for over 1700 historically significant houses and buildings here in Austin and Travis County. Also, our photograph collection includes some of these houses and buildings. Many of the buildings that were lost to urban development, highway construction, and other signs of progress are preserved here at the History Center in photographs and text. To determine whether we have a specific house building file, search the Austin Public Library on-line catalog, using the address as your keyword [1704 West Avenue].