1985 Map of Austin

About this map

The Colorado River winds through the heart of the central Texas corridor during a period of significant regional expansion. This mid-1980s planimetric study highlights the sprawl of Austin as it stretches toward satellite communities like Round Rock, Pflugerville, and Buda. To the east, the landscape transitions from the urban density of Montopolis and the strategic expanse of Bergstrom Air Force Base into the agricultural and wooded reaches of Bastrop and Elgin. The rail network, featuring the Missouri Pacific and Southern Pacific, remains a critical component of the local infrastructure, connecting the capital to more rural outposts such as Mc Dade and Paige. Local landmarks like Mount Bonnell and Mount Larson punctuate the topography near Lake Austin, while the eastern portion of the map is defined by the massive Camp Swift Military Reservation and the protected lands of Bastrop State Park.