Austin Landmark medallions and plaques

The Historic Landmark Commission is charged with reviewing and granting landmark designations in the City of Austin. But it is the Historic Preservation Office that protects and enhances them.  Many of the properties designated as a Austin Landmark either have a medallion or a plaque identifying the property as such.  The plaques may have a description telling something about the property.

Plaque outside the Paramount Theatre
on Congress Ave.

This medallion was on a building on Congress Ave.

Now on Instagram!

I now have an account on Instagram where I will posting photos of markers and markings of various types that I come across in my travels.  Look for me as tx_markers

Here is a post I did earlier today:

Peace Officer Memorial on SH-71

This memorial for Trooper Carlos Warren can be seen going east bound on SH-71 between Austin and Bastrop. The Peace Officer Memorial sign is your warning to slow down if you are interested in taking a closer look. There a small outcropping of pavement right in front of the memorial giving some space to park.

Excerpt from the Officer Down page:

 Trooper Carlos Warren was shot and killed when he interrupted an abduction in progress at a rural highway rest area on Highway 71 near Del Valle, Texas. He was shot in the neck.

Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/184-trooper-carlos-ray-warren#ixzz3A1vTPPxe

 

The Memorial

The plaque reads:

We the people of the State of Texas acknowledge and thank Trooper Carlos Warren for the great sacrifice he made to keep the public safe.  His efforts will stand the test of time.  May God bless his soul.

The Plaque

This sign can be seen east bound on SH-71.

This memorial and tribute was donated by Richard Metcalf. You can find more information about where the markers for Peace Officer Memorials come from on this TxDPS page

Bastrop

Another photo safari yesterday, this time to Bastrop.  It wasn't the main reason that I went, but I took advantage of the opportunity to take photos of different kinds of markers while I was there.  Weather didn't help since it was about 108 outside.  Wow.

But I came away with several markers along with a few photo jaunts at Bastrop State Park and at a small abandoned gas station along the way.

Only four of the markers that I found Friday around Bastrop

Camp Mabry

Yesterday I decided to visit Camp Mabry.  Home of Texas' military forces.  What I was looking for was to visit their excellent military history museum and to find five historical markers.  Three of the markers were listed on HMdb.org's Want List. 

I highly recommend the museum if you are in Austin.  It has some great resources about the history of Texas military forces along with a lot of heavy hardware both inside and outside of the museum. We are talking weapons, tanks, airplanes and more. And best of all, it is free!

I was completely successful finding the markers I came to find plus one oddball marker that was behind a fence in an semi abandoned vehicle storage area.

Collage of the five markers I came to find

The strange hidden marker

This has all the trappings of a historical marker.  Made out of sturdy material, such as the granite used here.  State of Texas seal.  But all it has is a list of names of military personnel and dates and it was in a fenced in "junk" area.