The history of the Austin Motel and the land on which it stands is not a story of corporate success with multi-million dollar profits, high end stocks, explosive growth into franchises, and financial wizards at the helm. It is nevertheless a success story. It is a success story of ordinary human beings;average everyday folk with normal ups and downs, hardships and joys, and persistence to endure. It is a very human old fashioned grass roots story of families;of love for the land and for the community. It is a story of a small unique little home grown business that has survived well through several generations and over 65 years of continuous operation while experiencing both hard times and joyful good times. It is a story of connection with other people and satisfaction for what has been accomplished from personal hard work, hands on attention, and love. Everyone who has owned this property has been personally involved with the work and vision of building and maintaining it. Families have been integral to its operation. It has always involved a direct inter-relationship with the local community. Though Mr. and Mrs. Eck were very enterprising with business property in several locations, for our purposes, this story begins in May of 1888 when Leonard and Frances Eck, immigrants from Germany, bought the land that now comprises the Austin Motel and its associated businesses. The following year, he built the first Business South of the River in Austin at 1200 S. Congress. He also installed the first Telephone South of the River. This was initially a general merchandise store that had a pawn shop, sold jewelry, produce, and home goods, and had a livery stable and blacksmith shop next to it. This building still stands today and is now BLACKMAIL... a clothing and gift store. In its early years, I am told this building was lively and from time to time filled with at least a few fairly dubious characters. Stories varied, but descendents of Mr. Eck tell of the friendship between Ben Thompson, an English immigrant and famous Texas outlaw, and Mr. Eck. Ben Thompson made frequent use of the pawn shop to pawn goods for gambling expeditions and then reclaimed them with his large winnings. Gambling was big around this area at that time and Ben Thompson found it a more interesting life than working at a job. He was feisty, an expert gunman, and his gambling habit frequently involved him in gun battles, duels, and brawls. He was an outlaw who later became one of the best Marshall's Austin ever had and it is a mystery why he has not become more famous in the stories of the old west. According to Mr. Eck's descendents, Ben Thompson had pawned a large diamond ring with him before going over to San Antonio to the Vaudeville Theatre and Gambling Hall with fellow gunslinger J. King Fisher. At the end of the evening, they were both dead. The famous ring was never reclaimed and still resides with the descendents of Mr. Eck. More information about Ben Thompson can be found on the internet. Mr. Eck passed away in 1925. An excerpt from his Funeral service, gives an interesting perspective on the vision of this creative man who began these businesses. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. He reared his children in the church, although not in the creed of his own choice. After all, did you know that all the creeds of Christendom can be summed up in two short words? More still;whether Jew or Gentile, Greek or Barbarian, just two words could compass their creeds. Would you cause wars ever to cease? Spike every gun of hate? Make every orphanage only a memory of past necessity? Yes, there are just two magic words that could do all of this... FAITH AND LOVE. Faith in GOD and in my fellowman. Did Brother Eck have Faith? I saw it in almost every act of his life. Had he Love? Ask all of us who knew him face to face.. Upon the death of Mr. Eck, Jennie Eck Stewart inherited the ownership of the Eastern Half of the 1200 S. Congress Block. Similar in entrepreneurial spirit to her father, she along with her husband Earnest Stewart expanded the stores along the block. In the;30s when the country was experiencing the boom of the automobile and Americans wanted to travel with their cars, little Motels... or Motor Inns... a new concept in the Lodging Industry sprung up all around the country. Builders and Owners of these new little establishments were exuberant with creativity and very imaginative signs and Motels were the result. Most famous of these roadways sprinkled with Motels was Route 66. The Old San Antonio Highway in Texas was another famous roadway. Take a look at www.sem20.com/neonmotel. a site by Douglas Towne whose passion for this unique form of American art has led him back and forth across this country on many journeys of discovery. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were quick to see the value in this new concept and built The Austin Motel which opened its doors in 1938 and has never closed them since. It was the Stewarts who built the Austin Motel Landmark Neon Sign way back in 1938 and it has remained here from the beginning. Around 1950 a new Motel, The Terrace, was built across the street complete with large swimming pool. Naturally, a swimming pool was a big draw for hot Texas summers. Not to be outdone, the Stewarts got busy and built our luxurious large kidney shaped pool and the charming rooms above it. A friendly competition ensued that in the end caused both Motels to keep getting better. Unfortunately, the charming Terrace Motel no longer exists. What finally happened to this lovely place to make it close its doors is not known, but the large old Oak Trees have, for the most part, gone by the wayside and the charming little cottages along with so many other of these small unique little motels have become only a memory of the past. The land was owned for a brief time by the great singer, Willie Nelson. Its present owners have built a large corporate apartment complex on the site. The Stewarts were not only good business people;they were also a colorful energetic family. There were American pioneers on both sides of the family and 5th generation Austinites on Mr. Stewarts' side. Of the three children, David, a distinguished Naval Officer, was killed in World War II. Weldon, helped run the businesses;most particularly the Austin Motel. Ernest, became the family character. He had many interests including owning midget and stock race cars, enjoyed being part of the pit crew of the Indy 500 in 1986-87, member of the Capitol Bass Club as an avid fisherman, worked from 1960 to 1980 as manager of Travis County Water District 17, and upon retirement was for 20 years a member of the Hudson Valley Volunteer Fire Department. Also during retirement, he and his beloved wife of 45 years, Joy Alice Craige Stewart, traveled extensively in the U.S. and took cruises to Mexico, Spain and the Mediterranean. He was known for his character, sense of humor and enthusiasm for life.. In 1961, Mrs. Stewart received a letter of inquiry from a High School teacher and her husband, a Superintendent of schools in North East Texas. Would the Stewarts be ready to sell their little Motel? Mrs. Stewart was getting up in years by this time and responded with some eagerness to this offer. Thus John O. and Katherine Thompson, bearing the same last name as the historic and infamous Austin Marshall, became the 2nd owners of The Austin Motel. Burning with enthusiasm for their new venture, the Thompsons put all of their savings into the down payment and began working around the clock to pay off the mortgage and build their business. They decorated rooms, worked the desk for both day and night shifts, helped the housekeepers clean the rooms, repaired plumbing when necessary, and even tried to run the Restaurant by themselves for a short while. They had loved being a part of the educational system in Texas for over 20 years before this, but nothing in their l...

The Austin Motel is located just south of the Colorado River and downtown on historic South Congress Ave, in view of the State Capitol and the famous bat bridge. Surrounded by a variety of eclectic shops, with choice dining and entertainment opportunities abounding, you'll find close at hand a uniquely Austin experience without paying downtown prices. With easy access to bus lines and Austin's lovely hike and bike trail; which can lead you to Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool and the Barton Creek greenbelt; and less than 15 minutes from the Airport, the Austin Motel has a prime location for experiencing all the fun and character that Austin has to offer.

The Austin Motel is a place where you can slow down and relax. Family owned and operated since 1938, the friendly staff invites you to share our 41 unique affordable rooms and our cool 50;s style pool. Located on South Congress Ave., the Austin Motel has the perfect location for shopping, dining, clubbing, bat watching and generally enjoying what Austin has to offer.

The Austin Motel;s eclectic mix of staff and buildings combine to offer guests an original South Austin Experience. The owner and her staff work together to create an oasis of greenery and comfort in an increasingly concrete world. Our approach is a classic one;take care of your guests, take care of your staff, take care of your environment, and most important of all, Enjoy. We invite you to take a look at some of the elements that make us an award-winning place to stay.