Clarksville
Hi. Shannon Schmitz here with the Austin Street Beat. Today we’re headed to one of Austin’s most iconic neighborhoods.
In the heart of Austin, you’ll find the quirky neighborhood of Clarksville. This historic part of the city feels like a quaint village, but is walking distance to the heart of the entertainment district of Austin. Clarksville extends from MoPac to North Lamar Boulevard and extends from West 6th Street to West 15th Street.
Founded in 1871 by freedman Charles Clark, Clarksville is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the oldest remaining of the post-Civil War towns established by freed slaves west of the Mississippi. Today, Clarksville is an eclectic mix of modern and traditional influences.
One can find historic, remodeled or newly constructed homes, and as a result, the neighborhood has a diverse mix of styles and architecture: Victorian homes, Bungalow style homes, modern new builds, in addition to both modern and historic condominiums.
The streets are hilly with plenty of trees, and residents can walk to shopping, cafes, restaurants and galleries along West Lynn; or it’s only a couple of blocks to the retail centers at Lamar and West 6th Street for luxury retail shops, Whole Foods Flagship store, Waterloo Records and more. Home prices range from about $200K to over a million, and when these properties hit the market, they don’t last long.
There are two great parks within the neighborhood, Clarksville Park and West Austin Park, both of which have playscapes and wading pools. Clarksville staples include Nau’s Pharmacy with its original soda fountain and Jeffrey’s, a favorite of former President George W. Bush. Neighborhood kids can walk to Matthews Elementary School in the AISD, a great school with a small-town feel.
For Austin Street Beat, brought to you by The Shannon Schmitz Group and Supreme Lending Mortgage Company, this is Shannon Schmitz.