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.

View of the Capitol as it burns looking north from the corner of 11th and Congress.

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.

Photograph of the construction site for the current Capitol building, constructed 1881-1888. View is from the Travis County Courthouse located on 11th Street.

Photograph of the Colorado River near Marble Falls. The river cuts between two hills, with the photograph being taken from one of them. A note on the back indicates the photo was taken from a bridge at Marble Falls.

Photograph of a uniformed individual named by the name of Fritz Reichmann. He wears a uniform and his hat says, "Recorder." Inscription on the back reads "Fritz Reichmann, killed at San Jacinto at 16th jumping out of a buggy." Photograph is cabinet card format.

"Containing the present state, county and city governments, and a complete list of all county officials, post offices and money order offices in Texas; also, an index of societies, associations, churches, corporations, educational institutes, the full name and address of all residents, their occupations or pursuits and a complete classified business directory."

Group photo of men. Back of photograph reads, "Scottish granite cutters imported to cut granite at Granite Mountain."

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 W. G. King, "Indian Fighter" holding a rifle and standing in front of a small log-cabin style house. A woman stands in the doorway of the house and a dog is next to the man.