Georgetown

www.georgetown.org

History

Located 26 miles north of Austin on Interstate 35, Georgetown is a relaxing community filled with friendly folks and offering visitors a chance to shop, dine, fish, and enjoy a relaxing getaway. This town of 30,000 residents balances historic charm with modern comforts to give guests the best of both worlds. Once home to roving bands of Tonkawa Indians and a meeting site to Sam Houston and his governing peers, Georgetown’s history is as interesting as it is varied. Situated on the Chisholm Trail along the edge of the gently rolling hill country just north of Austin, Georgetown was formally established 150 years ago.

The year was 1848. The story relayed to historian W.L. Mann by his great grandfather, Washington Anderson, tells of Georgetown’s beginnings. Anderson and the four other men assigned the task of locating a county seat were enjoying a brief respite under a large oak tree, when Anderson’s cousin and prodigious landowner, George Washington Glasscock, Sr., rode up on his mule. Sensing a quick solution to their task, Anderson spoke up, “George, if you’ll give us all the land between here and the San Gabriel River, we’ll make this the county seat and name the town after you.” His cousin agreed, promptly donating 173 acres, with his partner Thomas B. Huling, to establish what was to become a well-preserved link to Texas’ bygone days.

Known for it’s fastidiously preserved past, Georgetown is now a town of Victorian-era storefronts, and antique streetlights and brick walks lining shaded downtown streets. More than 180 National Register Historic homes and buildings showcase its eclectic blend of past and present.

In and Around Georgetown

The Polo Barn Dinner Theater….Dinner and Dancing on the Riverbank... The Page House Theater....The Beautifully-Restored Palace Theater... Dinner on a Riverboat….The Candle Factory... Inner Space Cavern....Reunion Ranch