AUSTIN, Texas — The city of Austin turns 179 years old Thursday.

  • Incorporated December 27, 1839
  • Named after Stephen F. Austin
  • Area formerly named Waterloo

According to the Austin History Center, the site of a community called Waterloo was purchased for the capital of the Republic of Texas in March 1839. The capital of Texas was named after Stephen F. Austin, who is known as the founder of Texas.

Austin was incorporated on December 27, 1839.

Texas was annexed into the United States in 1845. Austin formally became the state’s capital in 1846.