Tarrytown: where Austin’s residential history calls home
The story of Austin’s Tarrytown neighborhood is, at its core, a residential one: it’s regarded as one of the city’s safest and closest-knit communities.
Generations of Austinites have long held Tarrytown’s homes in high esteem, with prices to match. Once an undeveloped section of Woodlawn—a 365-acre estate designed for Texas State Comptroller James Shaw in 1853—the area was made an official suburb in 1915. Significant development began two decades later, resulting in many historic houses that still define its character.
Over the next century, Tarrytown continued to expand its residential supply, cementing its reputation as a domestic haven ideally placed on the shores of Lake Austin in proximity to downtown. Missing from the neighborhood’s development? Commercial sprawl.
Most of the evidence of Tarrytown’s history is contained within its residences, as well as the dry text of land deeds, wills and architectural blueprints. Dig through any number of residential records and you’ll find the names of Texas legends ranging from architect Abner Cook to actor Matthew McConaughey to Governor Elisha M. Pease and his family—the same family that would establish and develop Tarrytown. And contained within the story of Tarrytown’s homes is the story of Austin itself.
The historic home that helped construct Austin’s cultural legacy
Consider Laguna Gloria, one of Tarrytown’s oldest and most iconic homes. Covering a peninsula along Lake Austin, the land originally belonged to none other than Stephen F. Austin, the “Father of Texas.” Decades later, it was purchased by Hal Sevier, editor of the Austin American-Statesman newspaper, and his wife, Clara Driscoll, a philanthropist, businesswoman and the celebrated savior of the Alamo. Inspired by their honeymoon at Lake Como, the couple completed the Italianate-style villa in 1916. They owned it until 1943 when Driscoll generously donated the property to the city to serve as an art museum. That vision came to life 18 years later with the establishment of the Laguna Gloria Art Museum, a pivotal moment in Austin’s art scene.
Built before Tarrytown was established as a neighborhood, Laguna Gloria has endured as a cultural landmark, not only for Tarrytown but for all of Austin. (Carol M. Highsmith)
Government. Industry. Art. Sounds like a fitting motto for Austin.
Today, Laguna Gloria is part of The Contemporary Austin and remains a cultural treasure. Its neighbor, Mayfield Park—a lush 23-acre estate turned gardens and nature reserve—has earned its standing on the National Register of Historic Places. Elsewhere in Tarrytown, several homes hold the coveted designation of Texas Historic Landmarks, including the Bauer House, the official home of the Chancellor of The University of Texas System.
An exhibition of architectural eras
But as the old saying goes, history is a living and ongoing process. Mixed within these century-old residences are a range of architectural eras. Homes in Tarrytown cover the gamut, from classic craftsman cottages to grand Tudors to mid-century modern digs. The contemporary boom of the early 2000s introduced transitional-style residences. Given time, all of these residences may well join the ranks of their historic predecessors.
Tarrytown’s allure has drawn attention not only from eager buyers but also from many of Austin’s more notable architects. Their contributions range from designing modern new builds to renovating and rejuvenating the neighborhood’s storied older houses.
Sharing a border with Lake Austin also means that Tarrytown includes the city’s most-coveted waterfront properties. These lakeside residences—often outfitted with private docks—command premium prices, regularly reaching upwards of $25 million.
For those from the neighborhood without private docks, public access to the water can be found at the Walsh Boat Landing—launch a boat or rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard from a nearby outfitter. There’s also the Deep Eddy Pool, a beloved spring-fed swimming hole built during the Depression era at the southern end of the neighborhood.
While they may lack the nostalgic charm of more historic homes, new construction residences cater to modern desires with features like swimming pools, EV charging stations and smart-home technology. Presented by Anna Lee, Moreland Properties.
While the history of Tarrytown is more assuredly known from its archives and structures, it has also been kept alive in the generations who call it home. Devoted residents who cherish its desirable location, tree-lined streets and sense of community often stay for decades. It’s not uncommon for families to pass down their homes, creating a legacy of pride and small-town spirit in the heart of the city. Think Fourth of July parades and volunteer groups gathering to clean up neighborhood parks. It is this enduring love for Tarrytown that has contributed to its exclusivity, making available properties here increasingly scarce—and some of Austin’s most prized real estate.
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