What makes a place special? Historic preservationists look at many factors when deciding what to save. Others simply recall the taste of their favorite hamburger as they unwound with friends or gathered with family to cheer on the Burnt Orange. Still others recall cherished employees with decades of dedication. For Dirty Martin’s Place, those memories are coming into sharp relief as Austin builds a new future with Project Connect. 

Understanding the environmental impacts of demolition is crucial for the historic preservation movement as we develop forward-thinking strategies to preserve our historic fabric.

Austin designated five new Historic Landmarks in 2021, building upon its existing 600-plus individual landmarks and adding to Austin’s complex story of opportunity, segregation, creativity, and community service. Read on to learn more about the history of the five new Landmarks our city gained in 2021.

Austin has been losing its historic structures and resources at a rapid pace, compelling several questions around historic preservation. Why do we preserve certain structures and sites, and how do we make those decisions? What tools do we have to preserve them? Among the most powerful tools at the disposal of preservationists to combat demolition are local historic districts.