Scholz Garten
Why it's listed
Scholz Garten, at 1607 San Jacinto in Austin, is a tavern, beer garden and German singing society clubhouse a few blocks from the Texas capitol. August Scholz, a German immigrant, began with a boarding house in a log structure in 1860 and turned it into a tavern in 1866 by adding a brick false-gable facade. The Austin Saengerrunde bought the property in 1909, tore down the old building and rebuilt a nearly identical clubhouse. The complex is laid out in a U around a garden of oak trees, with a meeting hall and a bowling alley. Inside is the dark oak bar installed by Scholz. The property was listed for its long role as a meeting place for legislators, University of Texas students, authors and governors, and for its ties to the Saengerrunde, Austin's oldest registered ethnic organization. The group's members also helped start the Austin Symphony Orchestra. A state historical plaque was awarded in 1967.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites its role as Texas' oldest saloon and its long association with the Austin Saengerrunde, the city's oldest ethnic organization, formed by German and Swiss immigrants. It has also served as a gathering place for legislators, University of Texas students, writers and other notable figures. The 1909 building follows the design of the original false-gable brick facade.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79003015, listed July 27, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1607 San Jacinto, Austin |
|---|---|
| County | Travis County |
| Listed | July 27, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003015 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in commercial and entertainment use; the Saengerrunde still owns it, uses the club rooms and bowling alley, and leases the dining rooms. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 30.27771, -97.73635 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79003015.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14711311
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.