Atlas Obscura · People & society

Austin's Evolving 23rd Street Mural

A mural painted in 1974 on the side of a building near the University of Texas campus has been continuously updated over five decades, reflecting Austin's reinvention.

Created by artists Kerry Awn, Rick Turner, and Tommy Bee, the mural features a diverse cast of characters, creatures, and landmarks, including real people, clubs, armadillos, political movements, underground comics, Willie Nelson, and moon towers.

The mural has undergone repeated restorations, repainting, and expansions, incorporating new elements of Austin's history alongside the original 1974 imagery.

The 23rd Street Mural Project has transformed the artwork into an interactive documentary archive. Visitors can explore a high-resolution version online at 23rdstreetmural.com.

Clicking on details within the online mural reveals short documentary films about the stories behind the imagery, such as Austin nightclubs, underground cartoonists, community clinics, or the city's counterculture.

This interactive feature allows the mural's stories to be explored beyond a physical visit.

The mural has endured for over 50 years in a city known for frequent redevelopment and historical amnesia, serving as a persistent visual record.

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