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Opening Day for
the Montopolis Bridge over the Colorado River
Photo
Courtesy TXDoT
More Texas Bridges |
History in
a Pecan Shell
Originally developed
in the 1830s when Austin
was still named Waterloo, the somewhat pretentious name comes from
it's hilltop location. Early settler Jessie C. Tannehill laid out
the townsite near his cabin. Proximity to Austin
prevented the town from developing into its own community, nevertheless
Montopolis had its own post office granted by 1897 to serve the 50
or so people who resided there. The population swelled to 142 by 1900
but the post office was discontinued in 1902.
The town was annexed by Austin
in three stages beginning in the 1950s and continuing in the 60s and
70s. The name is still in use for the neighborhood, an exit off the
highway and for the bridge pictured above - still in use in 2004. |
June
1935 flood
These are of what was the Montopolis Bridge across the Colorado River
on what is now U.S. 183. |
Travis
County 1907 postal map showing Montopolis
SE of Austin
along the Colorado River
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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