Location
Clarksville proper is actually a small 10-block area that lies just west of downtown Austin. The area is bounded by Mopac on the west and West Lynn Street on the east. The northern boundary meanders from West 12th Street to Waterston, while the southern boundary is West 10th Street. A more expansive boundary stretches between Enfield Road, North Lamar Boulevard, Lady Bird Lake, and Mopac
About the Clarksville neighborhood
Clarksville is a charming neighborhood situated in the western region of Central Austin. The area is adjacent to downtown Austin, making it easy for residents to access all of the businesses, shops, restaurants and bars that the downtown area is known for. The Clarksville community dates back to the 1860’s giving homes in the area a great deal of charm, character and history. Clarksville is excellent for those who want to live minutes away from downtown Austin yet want to keep the neighborhood feel.
History
Once a location of slave quarters. Today, you can visit a few buildings still standing from Clarksville’s origins. One of which is the Hezikiah Haskell House. This historic landmark stands as a reminder of the deep cultural roots.
Places to eat
Galaxy Café
Galaxy Cafe is a locally-owned and operated restaurant committed to our local community in Austin, Texas. We strive to create a culture cultivated of friendly faces with high service standards. Our profitability is measured through our entrepreneurial spirit, mindfulness, and capable leadership. The company expectation does not allow quality to be sacrificed for price. It is our goal to maintain consistency of product, presentation, freshness and accuracy on every plate of food we serve.
Taco Flats
The original Taco Flats came to life during Austin’s first booming period in the late 1970s, developing quite the reputation as an infamous local hangout. You could always find a friend inside, and entertainment was guaranteed. As an active participant in Austin’s famous music scene, Taco Flats provided a stage for the likes of Gary P. Nunn, Blaze Foley, Calvin Russell, and Townes Van Zandt, just to name a few. And if there wasn’t live music, there was a crowd cheering on a jalapeno eating contest, or maybe an (unofficial) drinking contest. The calmer days were spent simply sharing cheap beer with good company. No matter what, Taco Flats was the place to party and it was always open to everyone. But like all great parties, it had to come to an end when Taco Flats shook off its hangover and closed up shop in October 1981.
Simon Madera, a local small business owner and entrepreneur, originally sought to open a local neighborhood bar on Burnet Road; something he thought the budding area lacked. Research led him to previous Taco Flats owner, Linda Steele, who introduced him to their once-great institution and the legend of her late husband, “Cozzmic Carl” Steele.
Months after speaking with Linda, who purchased the local dive from Hector Alvarado, the original owner of Hector’s Taco Flats, Simon received a phone call from the taco man himself. They met, they talked and although from totally different generations both happen to have a lot in common. They both grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, both aspired to do special business endeavors, and both love to entertain guest. Simon felt that meeting the latter owner and the original founder of this great institution was an even bigger inspiration to move the project along. It wasn’t long before Madera decided that Taco Flats should see another successful run in the city that deserved it most. Taco Flats is for everyone, but especially those who remember what Austin used to be and those who have high hopes for what it can become.
Taco Flats serves fresh tacos, appetizers, specialty cocktails, and plenty of good times. Start with breakfast tacos and Belgian waffles in the morning or dig into a carne asada taco.
Attractions
West Austin Neighborhood Park
West Austin Neighborhood Park is a snug urban park featuring a fenced off-leash dog area, pool, picnic shelter & playground.
Peace District Park
Peace District Park is an urban park in central Austin paralleling Shoal Creek west of downtown, the park is frequented by students of the University of Texas at Austin and Long-View Micro School students.
Ladybird Lake
Located in the heart of downtown Austin, it offers many attractions that will keep you entertained throughout the day. For example, a 10-mile hike and bike trail along the lake, passing neighborhoods, ball fields, and cultural attractions. Lady Bird Lake is the perfect place for canoeing and kayaking. The trail is an excellent place for a morning run or a lunchtime bike ride.
Public schools
The Austin Independent School District serves the neighborhood. Schools include Mathews Elementary (PK-6), O Henry Middle School (6-8) and Austin High School (9-12).
Mathews Elementary is a highly rated school with 349 students in grades PK-6. The student teacher ratio is 12 to 1. 66% of the students are proficient in math while 69% of the students are proficient in reading.
O. Henry Middle School is a highly rated middle school with 924 students and a 16 to 1 student teacher ratio. 57% of students are proficient in math while 56% of students are proficient in reading. O. Henry Middle School is named for short story writer William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name of O. Henry. Located in central west Austin, the school offers strong academic programming and a focus on social and emotional learning as well as band, orchestra, athletics and pre-AP courses. O. Henry was named a 2012 Schools to Watch by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. The school earned the recognition for challenging students to use their minds well, being sensitive to the unique developmental challenges of early adolescence and providing every student with high-quality teachers and resources.
Austin High School is a highly rated public school with 2,349 students and a 18 to 1 student teacher ratio. 46% of students are proficient in math while 74% of students are proficient in reading. Located in the heart of the city, Austin High School, is the oldest continuously operating public high school in Texas. Austin High’s long tradition of excellence aims to recreate the urban school experience and assure that all students gain the skills and experience to be successful after high school. By embracing our small learning community academy programming, diversity of our students and faculty, and Social Emotional Learning, we educate the whole child and espouse that “everybody is somebody” at Austin High
