The Historic Paramount Theatre on Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin

Congress Avenue, known as the main street of Texas (and the first street in Austin), is dotted with significant buildings including the Texas State Capitol and The Paramount Theatre. The theatre, built in 1915, began as a vaudeville theatre known as the Majestic, and was changed to The Paramount in the 1930s when film overcame vaudeville as the entertainment art of choice.

The historically significant Paramount Theatre has thrived over the years and featured noteworthy films and performers including Katherine Hepburn, Willie Nelson, Sarah Bernhardt, Sarah Vaughan, among others. The theatre continues to screen films and is a main attraction during the Austin Film Festival and SXSW.

This summer, Austinites can enjoy The Paramount Theatre Classic Film Series, which features 80 classic films including new prints and restored foreign films. For more information about the series and tickets, visit the website.

The Austonian high rise condos at Second Street and Congress Avenue are also home to a piece of Austin’s past. The façade of the Brown-Dumas Blacksmith Shop has been restored and integrated into The Austonian along Second Street. Read more about historic preservation at The Austonian here.