At one point, this tower was Austin’s main communication link to the outside world. Decades later, is it a landmark — or an eyesore — for the neighborhood?
March 7, 2024
Episodes
July 24, 2025
Who is the oldest World War II veteran in the Austin area?
Kathryn Stacer had a question about her grandfather. We try to find an answer, but also consider whether the answer even matters. If you like what we do on ATXplained, we need your financial support right now. Go to supportthispodcast.org and mention ATXplained in the comments. We’ll shout you out in a later episode!
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July 17, 2025
Why was Austin once called ‘Waterloo’?
Talk about “Old Austin” — this was Austin before it was Austin. So why was it named after a city in Belgium? We try to find out.
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June 26, 2025
What’s the deal with Austin’s “Rain Dome”?
Inconsistent rain forecasts have led to conspiracies about a rain-blocking dome that covers the city. The truth lies in an age-old fault.
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June 19, 2025
What happened to Austin’s lesbian bars?
Only San Francisco and Portland, Oregon have more gay people per capita than Austin. So why don’t we have any lesbian bars?
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June 5, 2025
Who was Austin’s first female lifeguard?
Laurel Seymour’s grandmother, Binnie Ruth Seymour, says she was the first woman to become a city lifeguard in Austin. Audrey McGlinchy looks at the record to see if Grandma Binnie is telling the truth.
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June 2, 2025
Who is the 94 year-old Texan who calls every state lawmaker?
94 year-old Reta Ward has been calling all the Texas state lawmakers for decades to weigh in on everything from water policy to school vouchers. One Capitol staffer wanted to know more about her.
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May 22, 2025
What’s the history of segregation at Barton Springs Pool?
Austin’s crown jewel has bought people together from all walks of life to enjoy a day in the sun. But before 1962, that wasn’t the case.
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May 8, 2025
Is it safe to live near an old East Austin ‘Tank Farm’?
Decades ago, there were dozens of huge fuel storage tanks in East Austin — in some cases right next to homes, schools and businesses. These days, the whole thing is seen as a case of textbook environmental racism. But one East Austin resident wanted to know: what still lurks in the soil long after the […]
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