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A Travis County History Timeline
August 9, 1809 - William Barret Travis, namesake of Travis County, is born.
March 2, 1836 - The Texas Declaration of Independence is adopted at Washington-on-the-Brazos, establishing the Republic of Texas.
March 6, 1836 - William Barret Travis dies at the Alamo.
August 1, 1839 - The first sale of town lots in the new capital of the Republic, which is named for Stephen F. Austin, is held.
December 27, 1839 - The City of Austin is created by the Republic of Texas Congress.
January 19, 1840 - Austin is approved as the capital of the Republic of Texas.
January 25, 1840 - Travis County is established by the Republic of Texas Congress.
February 21, 1840 - The first election for county officials is held.
February 28, 1845 - The Republic of Texas is annexed by the United States.
December 29, 1845 - Texas becomes the 28th state.
1855 - The first official Travis County Courthouse is constructed at 4th and Guadalupe.
1876 - The second Travis County Courthouse is constructed at 11th and Congress Avenue.
April 14, 1930 - Judge George S. Mathews and the Commissioners Court buy land at 10th and Guadalupe for the construction of the third Travis County Courthouse.
October 20, 1930 - The cornerstone is laid for the third Travis County Courthouse.
June 27, 1931 - The third Travis County courthouse officially opens.
June 15, 1935 - A flood which covers much of downtown Austin prompts the creation creation of the Lower Colorado River Authority and the building of several dams.
May 16, 1946 - Heman Marion Sweatt files suit against University of Texas President T.S. Painter in Travis County District Court, challenging the policy of racial segregation in schools.
June 5, 1950 - The U.S. Supreme Court rules on Sweatt v. Painter, overturning the lower court's decision.
July 31, 1963 - The Travis County flag, designed by Jesse McIlroy Smith, is adopted as the official emblem.
June 16, 1975 - The Travis County seal, as drawn by County Treasurer Johnny Crow, is adopted.
October 21, 2005 - The Travis County Courthouse is renamed the Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse