Photograph of Austin city administration: Standing L to R: J.W. Howard, Treasurer; C.D. Johns, Attorney; Ben Thompson, City Marshall; E.B. Connell, City Clerk; - Sitting L to R: Fred A. Sterzing, City Assessor; Mayor L.M. Crooker; Dr. R.H.L. Bibb, Physician. The city was incorporated in 1836 when Republic of Texas Vice President Mirabeau B. Lamar proposed that the state capital, then located in Houston, be moved to the area that sat just north of the Colorado River in the township then called Waterloo. Shortly thereafter, the city was renamed in honor of Stephen F. Austin. 1881 was the year that Austin public schools first held classes, and the University of Texas opened its doors shortly afterwards in 1883. Austin continued to expand throughout the 1880s and late 19th century.

Photograph of St. David's Episcopal Church taken from the front of the building looking northeast at the intersection of San Jacinto and East 7th.

Photograph of the building that served as the temporary state capitol while the current capitol building was under construction. Some horse-drawn carriages are parked in front of the building.

Photograph of state Capitol building after the fire on the 9th of November, 1881. Several people can be seen standing on the steps leading up to the building.