Development in South Austin increased substantially with the advent of the automobile in the 1910s and 1920s and, because South Congress was a major highway into the capital city, automobile-oriented businesses such as tourist courts, restaurants and service stations began to line the street. Throughout the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, South Congress was crowded with such businesses. When Interstate Highway 35 was created to the east of South Congress Avenue in the 1940s, however, tourist-related business was slowly siphoned to the new Interstate. By the 1960s, many of the older highway oriented businesses on South Congress had closed but as rents declined in the 1970s, artists and small retailers began to move into the buildings.

Today, the avenue has a variety of businesses and civic uses that reference many of its roles over thelast 125 years. Its width and dramatic view of the Capitol provide both the space and spirit to support a wide range of activities, and its history supplies a rich context in which to plan for the futurel city, automobile-orientedbusinesses such as tourist courts, restaurants and service stations began to line the street. Throughout the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, South Congress was crowded with such businesses. When Interstate Highway 35 was created to the east of South Congress Avenue in the 1940s, however, tourist-related business was slowly siphoned to the new Interstate. By the 1960s, many of the older highway oriented businesses on South Congress had closed but as rents declined in the 1970s, artists and small retailers began to move into the buildings. Today, the avenue has a variety of businesses and civic uses that reference many of its roles over thelast 125 years. Its width and dramatic view of the Capitol provide both the space and spirit to support a wide range of activities, and its history supplies a rich context in which to plan for the future.