Austin, Texas (1986)

This short video, produced by the City of Austin's communications department (Channel 6), offers a glimpse into how the city saw itself circa 1986.
Collection: ATXN/Channel 6 Video Collection (AR.2012.002)
Original format: 3/4" Umatic
Item #: AR-2012-002-r0162

[@NelsonClick]

Dear God! I'm lost in time watching this. I remember every location in this and what I was doing, thinking, wanting in 1986. Both parents were still alive. I didn't have any grown up problems yet. I was youthful and arrogant but always loved and enchanted by my hometown of Austin, Texas. I love you much. You produced and nurtured me. The majority of my entire existence: born, raised, schooled, worked and lived all within 78757. I'm approaching 60 years old now. I am so lucky to be from Austin.

[@noahhenson1669]

Fascinating! As a Lyft driver in Austin, I see many of these streets and locales almost daily. It's jarring but also oddly pleasurable to see the sights as they existed in 1986, two years before I moved to the area. Thank you for posting!

[@JoJo-oq3ol]

Wish we could go back in time. Peaceful and wholesome

[@kmaher1424]

Cheap rent and cheap pot. Lots of fun to be had!

[@JoJo-oq3ol]

@@kmaher1424 yeah! THEN

[@4martin723]

Not for everyone

[@888ssss]

women had hairy privates back then.

[@kevinengland8209]

I miss parts of old Austin but Be careful what you wish for !!

[@CH3CH2OCH2CH3net]

I really miss the Austin of the late 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The people were genuine, nice, and surprisingly open-minded. It's so unlike the Austin of today, which has become so competitive and so focused on money that it has become a *mean* city. As a senior, I have seldom been treated as badly as I was during a recent visit to Austin -- *and I'm FROM Austin*! My partner and I lived in Travis Heights for almost 20 years. We moved away in 2015, and found a section of Indianapolis which is almost exactly like Travis Heights was in Austin -- the architecture is virtually the same, it has the same assortment of "Mom and Pop" stores and restaurants, and just swap out silver maples and red oaks for the live oak trees.

[@dondwane2270]

I THINK YOU HIT THE HEAD ON THE NAIL WHEN DESCRIBING AUSTIN BETWEEN THEN AND NOW IT'S PLAIN AND CLEARLY ABOUT MONEY.

[@haaxxx9]

Been living here for all my life and I wanna move the hell out of here, but the only thing holding me back is community college that I want to complete first. One of my family members suggested me to go to community college with FASFA completed which it already paid for but I wish I sigh up for a trade instead. Shits so complicated and wack to be honest!

[@rocknrolla2906]

Yesterday I went to lalah’s the Christmas bar. Man the vibe there is so cool like the old Austin! I love it

[@Kikicole]

I was born in austin and my parents had lived there for a decade before we moved to Colorado in 2005. About 15 years later we moved back to Austin and wow it’s a completely different city. I grew up hearing about my parents passion for Austin, and was so excited to finally experience the city my parents fell in love with, but once we came back, it seems most of that charm is gone… it breaks my heart

[@meghan926]

Very very well said

[@mopacwestgate]

Man,those were the days...I remember renting my first house in Austin around this time.We had a 3 bedroom 2 bath,garage, washroom,huge patio on an acre of land ,10 -15 minutes from Downtown. We paid$ 650/ month...

[@mlongoria124]

Hell I was paying 575 for a 950 sqft 1 bedroom apartment about 12 minutes from downtown... back in 2008! That same unit goes for 1750 now😔

[@PolishBehemoth]

Lol wow that's amazing

[@originallilmisstex]

We rented our 2 bedroom/2 bathroom apartment for $650 in the mid 90s. A friend of mine just got priced out of her efficiency apartment not too long ago. $1500 off Ben White. $1500!?? They're old, crummy apartments too. But what she was paying before was all she could afford.

[@zachemorgan]

apartments that are shit are now 1k a month lol. the housing cost is stupid now days its almost cirminal.

[@zachemorgan]

apartments are shit now days 1k a month for the crapiest apartment we could find down here near Houston.

[@RD-nq7fl]

I am a 5th generation Austin native- my family were slaves on the Garfield Planation (Travis County/Bastrop County Line) because of Gentrification I am the LAST WOMAN STANDING from my ancestors. all of my first cousins moved away years ago. Unfortunately, I will be relocating soon. I am sad because my ANCESTORS literally broke their backs in Austin to provide for their families - now Austin wants to get rid of their native population and make room for new young comers. I hate to leave the area that my family shed tears and sweat so their children could prosper, but I can no longer afford to live in the Austin Metro Area --- sorry ANCESTORS I tried-

[@CH3CH2OCH2CH3net]

Your experience is very similar to ours. We were very long-term residents (many decades) and we noticed that Austin seems to be doing its darndest to get rid of its native Austinite population, the long-term residents, and especially the people of color in east Austin, south Austin and southeast Austin. This is going to come back to bite Austin when Austin hits another economic downturn like it had in the mid and late 1980s. That humbled people, and for about 20 years afterwards Austin was as close to paradise as one was able to get. Then it turned *mean*.

[@tanyawashington5472]

I'm also the 5th generation, but I was born in Harris County. I grew up in the heart of Travis County East Austin, 78702. Due to gentrification, I no longer go to the Eastside. I've now lived in beautiful Southwest Austin for over 30 years. Austin has had tremendous growing pains. Some areas are beautifully done; however, to Austin's own detriment, there are many historically African-American sites that have been decimated, and my family's included. 🥴✊🏾🥴

[@tritosac]

@@CH3CH2OCH2CH3net "Austin seems to be doing its darndest to get rid of its native Austinite population, the long term residents and especially the people of color in East Austin, South Austin and Southeast Austin." Yep. That's what white liberals from California, NY, IL (and other blue states) tend to do. They are the biggest hypocrites claiming to champion the cause of black people & other downtrodden minorities. Yet not a one of them would be willing to give up their material posessions and money in the bank to live in the ghetto with black people.

[@PolishBehemoth]

I'm a ten year austinite. I've moved 9 times in 10 years. I'm so sorry for y'all's moving pains. I wish I could help you all. I would not mind communication thru email. God bless austin and texas!

[@PolishBehemoth]

Also Roz what area are you in? I'm in the east riverside and montopolis area

[@bradleydawson9043]

I lived, worked, and went to University there at that time. Odd, no mention of music on Auditorium Shores, 6th Street, Barton Springs, or the huge amount of festivals that occur pretty much weekly for free. I live in Houston now and miss that place. But now it is not the same.

[@red2846]

Awwww I miss our old tiny airport 🥺

[@cmj2072]

Anybody notice how green it is

[@liamsanchez629]

*was

[@jeremyfisher8512]

@@liamsanchez629 It still is? very green in fact

[@ospee2004]

@@jeremyfisher8512 I have lived in the same house since 1972. It used to be way out in the country near hwy 620. Now there's an overpass a block from our front door. Miles and miles of pavement. You have to drive a mile down the access road to get straight across the highway. Ya, that's not what I call green.

[@joellahrman4557]

@@ospee2004 Yes but if someone is not from Texas, they're likely expecting all of Texas to look like Roadrunner & Coyote territory. West Texas does of course. But most anyone who visits Austin for the first time has the same reaction: "It's really green!"

[@jema5039]

@@JudeMalachi compared to where? Dallas & Houston? Lol go out of state there’s way more scenery

[@ctaz8746]

Awe my hometown, born and raised in the old east Austin....so sad to see what has become of Austin! Myself like many native black Austinites have since relocated to other larger metro areas like Dallas and Houston and/or being pushed to the edges of the city and surrounding suburbs due to gentrification. Sad to see whats becoming of East Austin and Austin as whole!

[@melissahollowell7255]

This city did so many of the old families wrong. Pushed you all to the east side and then sold it to hipster developers. Now none of their descendants can afford to live there.

[@tinaismamama]

I agree very sad.

[@dondwane2270]

I M A 50 YEAR OLD BLACK MALE ME AND MY FAMILY LIVED ON THE EASTSIDE OF AUSTIN ON LYONS ROAD FROM 1970 TO 2006 AND HAD TO MOVE BECAUSE THE HOUSE MY DAD AND MOM OWNED IT BUT TOOK OUT A MORTGAGE LOAN ON IT AND LOST IT THROUGH FORECLOSURE , THE HOUSE BACK IN 1970 WAS WORTH $15,000 NOW IT'S WORTH OVER $600,000 TODAY . TODAY THEY ARE BUILDING LIKE CRAZY ON THE EASTSIDE BUT FOR ANYBODY WHO'S LIVED THERE AND OWN A HOUSE THAT IS PAID FOR IS NOW PLAYED PLAGUED BY HIGH PROPERTY TAXES BECAUSE OF ALL THE BUILDING THAT'S GOING ON SUPPOSEDLY TO TACKLE THE HOMELESS PROBLEM THAT AUSTIN NOW HAS .

[@barkingforeman4890]

Least the East side is a bit less ghetto now.

[@astralenlightenment1743]

@@dondwane2270 yep. My Grandma is still here since the 70s on Prock Ln. Sorry about your family

[@milanolonghorn]

Austinites today: Wish we can go back to the 90s and 80s! And Austinites in 86: Wish we can go back to the 60s and 50s!!

[@jeremyfisher8512]

lol, if those people who still thought there wasn't going to be anything taller than the capitol saw the city today they'd have a heart attack

[@chongarcia977]

Man if only i could go back..Everything looked so peaceful..My parents would take us to woolco,solo serv,Hancock center,Barton creek,And of course knart on lamar st every Saturday from san marcos tx..I loved 1986..I was only 12 yrs old and had the best parents..My dad still talks about all our trips to ATX but my mom is resting now..Man this video was a great trip down memory lane..

[@bootchop88]

i wish i had the money i have today so i could time travel back to 1986 and buy some property in Austin.

[@DanTheTrojanMan123]

Funny story, my dad when him and my mom were few years into marriage. Wanted to buy a warehouse downtown. My dad told my mom it be a good investment. My mom said no. So my dad let it go. Well now that warehouse is where the frost bank building is at. SMH haha

[@hotchkess846]

It's crazy to see the was Austin was way back in the 80's. To see the very same streets and quite a few of the same buildings I see today, more than a decade before I was even born is pretty mind blowing. Unfortunately with how large Austin has become, it doesn't seem like the same city it was back then.

[@zerekpeel4851]

Born and raised in Austin and it’s not home anymore, definitely not the same.

[@susanpeake5327]

It'll never be as awesome as it was! I came to get a Biology degree from UT, and stayed. For 26 years I enjoyed it (except for the heat & humidity) then I moved to Denver for 8 years. I love that town too. I'll go back. Great energy!

[@ramencurry6672]

Remember….Keep Austin weird

[@narvaisthequiet7988]

My mother always mentioned miller airport (now mueller) and the Bergstrom Air Force Base ( now the Austin - Bergstrom International Airport). She reminisced about those good days especially on the east side of Austin where she grew up. But looking at Austin then and now is like night and day.

[@kiyoraka3537]

east austins a trashpit with some alright burger joints now

[@noahhenson1669]

@@kiyoraka3537 It is no such thing. Quite the opposite, in fact, compared to the East Side of 20+ years ago. There has been a ton of development east of 35 since then. Civic and architectural improvements. Restaurants and cafes and art galleries. Clubs and shops and stores of all kinds, and of course tens of thousands of residences. Not a single "trashpit" in sight.

[@Geemokb]

The old airport was pronounced “Miller” but spelled Mueller.

[@dondwane2270]

@@noahhenson1669 YES BUT ALL OF THAT DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH HURT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED THERE FOR YEARS THAT USED TO COULD AFFORD TO LIVE THERE ,BUT BECAUSE OF THE CRAZY BUILDING THAT'S GOING ON IN EAST AUSTIN IT'S DRIVING UP TAXES AND LONG TIME RESIDENTS ARE HAVING A HARD TIME KEEPING UP .

[@bear101897]

@@kiyoraka3537 you have not been to east Austin in a while. High rent, valet parking, posh condos, Whole Foods and tennis courts are in East Austin now. My daughter had her senior prom at E. 5th near Chicon. 15 years ago, that was a drug and prostitution corner.

[@bluetexas001]

It used to be such a special place. I never thought I could mourn for a city.

[@ladyrachel13]

We first moved to Austin in 1986. How things have changed since then!

[@frankiemendez4601]

My city of birth. Miss the city what it was. Fear what it's becoming. Don't lose yourself...(completely)

[@didiermontagnier6114]

Moved to Austin in the late 80s as a freshly minted college grad for my first job. It was such a fun and unique place, unlike the overhyped hipsterville that it has become.

[@noahhenson1669]

"Overhyped hipsterville"? It's just a city, where people live and work and play. Some of those people are unarguably "hipsters"; the vast majority of them are not. Journalistic sensationalism is best ignored.

[@74nova36]

Nah I live here. The hype has turned it into a literal hipsterville. Don’t condescend without cause

[@noahhenson1669]

@@74nova36 Ok, but I live here, too. I drive Lyft here and see its people and places almost every day. "Hype" is just people saying things to other people. Why give them any credence in the first place? Okay, so some people (journalists? on-line commentators?) "hyped" the city. And...? How do written or spoken exaggerations affect the actual place or its people in a negative way? Are you mad at the city itself for some reason, or are you actually mad at the people who have been "hyping" the city? Also. Dude. I drive Lyft. I see its population for hours almost every day. It's not exclusively populated by "hipsters" or even majority populated by them. Facts are not "condescending".

[@74nova36]

@@noahhenson1669 hahaha, you’re assuming a lot here bud. No one said anything about being mad, I assume you are however. The point stands. Everyone here that isn’t a 35-50 year Indian family is predominantly a hipster/yuppie/follower. It’s ok that you don’t see it. It’s not a thing to be angry about though. Try and relax, just demographics

[@noahhenson1669]

@@74nova36 I've taken your argumentation with me as a sign of anger; if this not the case I will happily revoke my labeling you as "mad". Meanwhile: "Everyone here that isn’t a 35-50 year Indian family is predominantly a hipster/yuppie/follower." is simply incorrect. 5 days a week I see hundreds of people walking and driving around: downtown, at the Domain, on south Congress and south Lamar, and east of 35. I give a couple dozen of them rides to and from their houses and businesses all over town. Business people. College students. Families. Artists and musicians. Lawyers and EMTs. Simple working class people like myself. School children. The elderly. All of a wide selection of ages and ethnic and geographic origins. Your reduction of this enormous melting pot of humanity to "Hipsterville" is absurd. The fact that you continue to defend your myopic miscalculation is as factually baseless as it is annoying.

[@taddprice6750]

I miss this Austin.

[@sloaneisenbart9347]

used to be so white.. what happened?

[@adamsanchez464]

There was not one tent village in sight, in this footage

[@YungEagle3k]

@@sloaneisenbart9347 good ol days

[@4martin723]

@@YungEagle3k what

[@daniel34062]

I was born in Austin and raised there, and it's kinda cool to see how Austin looked back in the 80's. My parents have told me that Austin has changed a lot since moved to Austin for college in the 90's, and I've been able to see the growth Austin has had since I can remember. In the video I could just picture how much has changed, all the new skyscrapers aren't built yet, roads, it was less crowded, etc. It makes me wonder how Austin was like back then, to be able to live in Austin back then. But don't get me wrong cause I love the Austin I grew up in with all the new tech companies, skyscrapers, and even the traffic cause it's what makes the city unique to other cities. It makes Austin Austin to me.

[@Kikicole]

My parents always romanticized Austin to me growing up, so I was excited to finally move back here after leaving when I was 5. Apparently it’s nothing like it used to be and I was definitely sad to find that out

[@CH3CH2OCH2CH3net]

In the 1980s to about 2005, Austin was as close to paradise as it came. Even during the economic downturn in the 1980s, Austinites were exceptionally nice. People actually helped one another and did things together. It was a real community. Not anymore: it's everyone for themselves.

[@jamesrobert782]

Life was just so much simple and easy going back in the day. Really miss those days.

[@whodat1967]

This is the Austin I wish I could move to, but not the Austin I did move to

[@thomaswattsjr.7]

I started visiting Austin in 1986 so thanks for this.

[@rcortez911]

I lived there in 95, it was a great experience. I never felt out of place and didn't have to look over my shoulder like I would in San Antonio. I went back in 2022 and it was unrecognizable. I remember driving around some rough neighborhoods like Cesar Chavez after midnight, it's all changed now. I want to go back, but I want to go back to what I remember. Even SouthPark Meadows is gone, that was acres of empty land. Saw Lenny Kravitz there in 96.

[@eternalifeproductions]

Saw Smashing Pumpkins there, blind melon, horde tour many others. Liberty lunch gone too.

[@williambaxter4628]

@@eternalifeproductions Miss the Lunch.

[@kennek1976]

saw Bowie and NIN there moved here 97 and the city is a Cali/NY wasteland now. (It was worse when the mayor tried to overrule the voters on the camping ban}

[@johnthonig8832]

I miss the 70s Austin Armadillo Opera House Good times ✌️☮️

[@gbarthg]

I miss 1890s Austin Wagenfuehr Bakery Opera House Saloon Good times

[@Ink_farm_art]

Well this made me feel old AF. 😂

[@originallilmisstex]

Ditto!! 😂

[@allthingshiphop1151]

i miss the original austin. the kindness everywehere :(

[@KT-nj9qk]

As a proud Austinite and ancestor of Austinites its crazy to see how much the city has changed in 35 years

[@yamahasuperbike2202]

That austin is long gone. So awesome back then. Now it sucks.

[@zachemorgan]

god i love the way this guy talks it just makes me want to learn.

[@MightBeAPizza]

Literally the same. Makes you feel like things are really looking up in the world.

[@rockylovesall]

This is beautiful to see how Austin was in the past! I love this city ❤️

[@lewf5685]

Wow! Great throw back! We moved here a year before this.

[@slowcar6460]

When things were normal!

[@4martin723]

Ahh yes not for everyone

[@SaturdayMorno86]

The music in the background is definitely Austin soundtrack of the '80s

[@jakejennings5152]

The Austin music scene got tore the fuck up by the Town lake condo association’s complaining about noise after 11 pm! C3 and fucking ticketmASSters fucked up the only good live music that comes to town by making it all exceptionally more expensive than it ever used to be, and the downtown Austin music scene has morphed into a bunch of shithole teenybopper hip hop/R&B bullshit clubs that peddle overpriced drinks with the kind of bathroom wall decor you would only find in the Travis county jail!

[@Lora-Lynn]

Those were the days...

[@chrisp755]

Born and raised in Austin...I certainly miss the 70s and 80s . People waved at you at the traffic lights. Small-town feel. Hippie vibe.Carefree. I could go on an on.😢

[@lbennhtx6072]

Its always changing. People in 1986 felt the same way looking back 36 years to 1950 as we do today looking back 36 years ago to 1986.

[@tbewin1z143]

not nearly as much nostalgia back in the day...the 80s and 90s were good decades

[@lymarie1974]

Miss my old hometown when it was a great place to be.

[@joeanybody3655]

Born, raised & still live in Austin. 33 years. thinking it’s time to move on, it’s a shame what my home has become.

[@karap2825]

Agree. Its been destroyed. They have destroyed our home.

[@adamsanchez464]

@@karap2825 when you say "they" I hope you mean "democrat/liberal policies"

[@PolishBehemoth]

Dammmn. I'm sorry guys. Ten year austinite here.

[@austin426512]

I came from India and living here from 1999, although in Round Rock now.

[@adamsanchez464]

@@barrychopsticks well, to start, there weren't tent villages every .05 miles in the 80's (something that liberal policies awarded Austin for sure.) You can joke all you want while you are stuck in that toilet bowl

[@gillynova]

Love this so much

[@jaxontheboss2319]

0:20 I know that's probably like a movie camera but that quality for that year is INSANE

[@scotthelwig9640]

Austin is still beautiful, fun, and eclectic ... but, the traffic seriously sucks! And, whatever happened to AquaFest??

[@omarmaldonado9994]

This is so awesome !!! Austin native here born in st David’s on 35

[@stiffdrinkmime366]

Hold up. 68* average temperature?

[@adamsanchez464]

Wow Austin seemed like a great place to start a family and flourish.. *I wonder what happened to it*

[@sethsilverado1811]

everyone and their californian grandma moved here lmao

[@adamsanchez464]

@@sethsilverado1811 "the worst part of Austin is California" Heard that multiple times during my 2.5 years in that toilet bowl

[@zachemorgan]

well people are still nice down here in the Houston suburbs. not sure how long it will last though i can't even get a you too out of these kids out of a drive thru when i tell them have a nice day or night. I'm only 27 btw somthing bad is happening with kids under 25 atm very very bad like threating the end of society bad.

[@originallilmisstex]

Thanks for the memories. If anyone out there is considering moving away, please take Ted with you?

[@marijuasher]

Nice to know the road system was elaborate back then, too.

[@annastasiakohen]

This was made before I was ever thought of, lol. I wish austin looked like this today. I’d even settle for a circa 2005 Austin at this point 😅

[@SaturdayMorno86]

When this video was done in August of 1986 I was 2 months old meaning I was born when they did this video

[@anitaeschberger5988]

I saw a big white sign that says Cameron Road into this day Cameron Road still messy looking nothing changed on thAT street

[@MrAmunika1]

Looks like Austin has been a great city and growing fast from wayy back.

[@RD-nq7fl]

It was great city in the 80’s and 90’s before ppl like JOE ROGAN, ELON MUSK, and the thousands of Californians that turn the city into a URBAN NIGHTMARE.

[@frankiemendez4601]

@@RD-nq7fl It's been going on before them. I remember Austin in the 90s as a California refuge even back then.

[@zachemorgan]

you mean was lol. that place is getting shitter by the day hopefully yall clean it up some.

[@nolimitlj21]

@@zachemorgan facts the police don’t do shit here but eat donuts and the people are weird asf

[@codym8897]

Hey Austin History Center, do you have the Austin City Limits Season 11 opening from 1986? It has The Southwest Texas Public Broadcasting Council logo at the beginning, and showing a man and a woman walking through Studio 6A before reaching the set at the end; such as giving a ticket and putting stamps on their hands, giving a booklet, serving beer, someone walking to the studio, and spilling beer all over the boots.👍

[@xisotopex]

was 17 when this film came out... I wonder what I was doing on the days that this was filmed, I was somewhere down there, all my youth in front of me, but lost with no directions.... if only I could start over from that point....

[@annaisabella5143]

averaging 68.1 degrees?!? how times have changed..

[@everestmaher1092]

69.1°F today, but the recent trend is decreasing not increasing.

[@jkgzalez7928]

Our HOME has changed so much. Almost unrecognizable.

[@graysonjd5624]

My grandfather remembers when Mopac was a dirt road, and raising dairy heifers in FFA on a pasture where Airport Blvd is.

[@jakecantu8396]

I left Austin in 2003 and by what i saw there recently, I left at the perfect time. I don't recognize the city.

[@kennek1976]

I moved here 1997 and I weep at what little of anything is left

[@rickguerrero2282]

I lived in Austin from 1981 - 1987. I have been visiting a few times a year since I moved away. I believe that the period of time during which I lived in Austin was its best days. When I go there now, it just seems like a gigantic expanding city. Dripping Springs has been overrun with housing tracts. I'll bet that Johnson City will be swallowed up within a decade. My favorite part of the city is South Congress just past the river. I may buy a 2nd home west or South of Austin so I can spend a few months out of the year visiting my grandkids and other family members. I am thinking of Canyon Lake or Blanco.

[@DandinXY]

I have been here for two months and although I'll never know the times that you did, I can see there are still great times to be had in Austin. :)

[@Hlatr]

Completely agree with your opinion. Although I wasn't alive to experience Austin during these times, my parents have lived here their entire lives and have many stories from that time; they miss the old Austin very much. They just moved out to San Marcos and feel like it is somewhat like what Austin used to be. Wish you the best!

[@jeremyfisher8512]

Current austin has some high highs and low lows, where else can you go to a cvs parking lot to get restaurant quality burgers out of a food truck, but also where else can you go where about a dozen plus car accidents have happened right outside or on your property. Hell I saw somebody get T-boned half an hour before getting on my computer and writing this comment.

[@codyblenden369]

I'm in oak hill, in the past 9 years it has exploded. I also agree with it swallowing Johnson city soon, especially with the new clover leaf being built.

[@ospee2004]

You may not be able to afford to live in Austin. All the Califorians moved hear and the taxes are way more then they used to be. It was great here in the 70's and 80's.

[@davidfreesefan23]

I would love to visit Austin at some point.

[@quemzzy7397]

You’re telling me they’ve been working on I35 since at least 1986 and they still ain’t done 😡

[@elam7200]

I miss old Austin

[@biggestD318]

And still going 35 years later.

[@benc1927]

Shocked no mention of the music scene and nightlife at all, to not mention Austin City Limits is insane!

[@warrensanders751]

Because it didn't exist back then

[@warrensanders751]

The music scene and keep austin weird concept of ATX happened in the 2000s on

[@pablodelsegundo9502]

@@warrensanders751 More like mid-to-late 90s. The Keep Austin Weird bs was commercialized in the 2000s, though...long after any unique quirkiness was on its deathbed.

[@pablodelsegundo9502]

They rather tellingly skirted any mention of 6th street, the east side, and LGBT anything,. But given it was from 1986, it makes sense.

[@benc1927]

@@pablodelsegundo9502 Don't forget that no mention of food, such as BBQ! ACL was already a big and televised event by 1986, Willie Nelson performed in 75' and Stevie Ray Vaughn had already performed on ACL

[@belindacarter6872]

Happy memories 💗

[@miketexas4549]

This is when and where I grew up. Today it's completely ruined.

[@Zseventyone]

Native Austinite (St. David’s ‘77) but don’t remember thinking the avg annual temp was 68.1 degrees.

[@hermang2257]

I feel that only Austin's people should be able to drive on I35. If ya not from Austin (or haven't been here all your life) go around or pay a fee like a toll road. We got people driving 60 on the left lane and its crazy how much traffic it impeads. Most of the time I be seeing plates from other states holding up the line. Only good thing about Covid was when it first hit. I was able to drive freely on the highway from Pflugerville to south Austin in 20-30 min. I now have to wait over and hour in traffic because half of the people are on their phones, scared to drive, can't drive, or think they own the highway and stay on the left lane with no one in front of them. move over to the middle or right lane if your not in a rush since you are going slow. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it's actually illegal to hold traffic back on the left lane as well.

[@MrTaylorTexas]

The traffic actually looks (was) manageable.

[@CAPTIVEPULSEMAKER]

This Austin was a beauty. I miss this Austin.

[@TannerForrest]

Here at 33k views before this video blows up to 1M+

[@ibuprofenPill]

After 22 years, I left Austin and moved up to Denton.

[@mizujxre]

this is mindblowing when you compare Ostin ( just a big city of US) and Moscow ( the capital of USSR) and see such a huge difference between how people dress, their entertainments, level of infrastructure. I'm from Moscow btw

[@NoName-tx5gn]

I love learning about my new city. I learned that the current airport was an AFB. I had previously learned the Mueller neighborhood was the original airport location. Thus why that whole area is so new in such a central part of the city.

[@thecoldcallerguy]

I remember as a kid going down I-35 seeing planes hover only a couple of hundred feet from the interstate.

[@rickguerrero2282]

When you landed at old Robert Mueller Airport, the runways were very short. The pilots had to slam on the brakes to stop the plane. That was one airport that required you to have your seatbelt securely fastened upon landing or risk bashing your head against the TV screen in the seat back! Years ago, I used to work for Austin Cablevision (the local cable company). Because I was an employee, I had access to Bergstrom Air Force base by using my employee badge. On slow afternoons, I used to drive my car to the base, park near the runways and watch the military jets take off & land. Now, we have a shiny new airport there!!

[@thecoldcallerguy]

@@rickguerrero2282 I remember the local cable show back in the day.

[@rickguerrero2282]

@@thecoldcallerguy if you mean the local cable access television channel, it was absolutely amazing back then. We used to be the studio for the ground breaking atheist Madeline Murray O’Hare. She taped her weekly TV show at our office (I think it was called American Atheist Forum). I think her oldest son used to come with her to the studio. There were also a few very weird comedy shows (“Fung Gu” was the saying of one), and lots of bad music video shows. Sorry for the bands that played on them……

[@thecoldcallerguy]

@@rickguerrero2282 Do you remember some of the old local Austin commercials? Like Texas Discount Furniture where they said “We wanna save you money” and then throw money in the air 😂

[@thomasfoster0327]

Yup I was there It looks a lot different now

[@rpdole]

That was quaint.

[@mrmrsplummer3526]

Oh the good ole days.

[@Prattalicous]

So nothing has changed, I-35 is still under construction

[@AD-ev3vc]

This is the year I was born :)

[@garywalters3007]

around the 3"10 mark....american cab....."with door handles that actually work" i miss them

[@guytitanic]

That might have been me driving I started with them when they just became computerized in1985.

[@bobbackward6461]

Man...I miss the late 20th century more than ever. I see it on the screen, I'm like, it's right there! Let's go! But I can't. These are merely the views of things that once were.

[@jaorte10]

I lived and worked electrical construction in Austin in the late 70's til I left in 86. Soooooo glad I got out of little California in the heart of Texas. I've been in Florida and loving it ever since.

[@Deadly_fox512]

Commiefornians are moving there too. Lol

[@kiyoraka3537]

wouldnt be the little california here if the little californians stopped coming over here and ruining things😭

[@MeowTX]

I would love to live in Austin back in the days. Just moved here a few months ago and fell in love with it

[@davidmartinez4309]

Texas looks great to be a few years ago (Greeting from 1992, mexico🇲🇽🦅) I hope one of the teams of nba win the ring soon too....

[@steveb9325]

Not one word mentioned about Austin music scene and artist. We were at the height back then. Long before " live music capital of the world " and "keep Austin weird " jsm

[@johnthonig8832]

Armadillo World Headquarters ☮️

[@steveb9325]

@@johnthonig8832 absolutely! Was a sad day when that closed. When was that: around 80 ?

[@johnthonig8832]

@@steveb9325 Yes indeed. From 1971 until 1980, I was an avid Hippy Patron ☮️✌️

[@steveb9325]

@@johnthonig8832 Haha! You mean an original Austinite

[@dannygonzal3z]

I love my hometown

[@thecoldcallerguy]

Austin, Texas born here! I miss the old days of Austin, TX.

[@lovelypeacheschair7641]

Can I ask some questions?

[@thecoldcallerguy]

@@lovelypeacheschair7641 absolutely! Ask away!

[@lovelypeacheschair7641]

@@thecoldcallerguy Thanks! My first question is how was the homelessness in Austin when you were living there? My second question is affordable housing. Were the houses on the Colorado River cheap? Were the houses near downtown cheap? Was a middle class family able to live in Austin? Did Austin have suburbs?

[@jema5039]

@@lovelypeacheschair7641 homelessness always been here just like every city but it’s gotten way worse. Texas used to barely have homeless people like that because it was a cheap place to live at one point. You could live off of a part time job at a grocery store or fast food place. Everything was cheap in Austin, apartments were dumb cheap & houses. If you were middle class you were borderline rich in Austin. No body cared about those things though, everybody just wanted to have fun & enjoy life. It’s two different worlds. Even from 2014. It was much more chill/laid back then too. Lyfts & Ubers we’re $3, rent was only $600 in downtown, a lot more cool spots were still here & a lot more “weirdness” mixed with Texan Cowboy. Texas govt ran this place into the ground now. The only places that are cool like that still is San Antonio kinda, the little small towns outside of the big city & far east/west Texas. But nothing like Austin used to be, it was a different kind of place.

[@steveferguson823]

I miss the old Austin 80s days

[@violiedtalia5535]

A Love Austin very much it's my favorite place and my home

[@ricksorrells5683]

NOW, THIS, IS AUSTIN!

[@maryanncook8403]

Love those short shorts! lol

[@petradichavich]

USED to be the greatest city on Earth. Used to be.

[@steveferguson823]

Seen many good times concerts there me and grilfreinds. Some her friends. Go all the time in. 80 s and party

[@derekcastro4324]

If only they knew he big & beautiful the city is now Wished it was just us born & raised that lived here Now we got people from all sorts of places who don’t even cherish or take of our city

[@cbriangilbert1978]

Says the highway is under expansion....still is almost 40 years later.

[@trilla5127]

I miss the old austin

[@Matt-lp8de]

What Austin looked like when I first moved there. Back when you could actually get around without waiting in a traffic jam, and buy a house without spending over 400 thousand dollars.

[@lukusamongus4079]

Is that Ron Oliveira doing the narration? And this was right about the time that the city counsel decided they didn't want Austin to grow/expand too fast, and the way to do it is to block new road construction and improvement wherever possible.

[@alexmathewmendoza]

0:59 and it's still being expanded

[@suzbone]

Pleasant climate lolol whooooo boy 🤣