From Pecan to “Dirty Sixth:” The Evolution of an Iconic Austin Street

An Exhibition Guest Curated by NCHM Curatorial Intern Makenzie Cohen

on display at the Neill-Cochran House mUseum
january 22, 2025 - May 25, 2025

The history of Austin’s iconic Sixth Street, originally known as Pecan Street, is a captivating story of resilience, revitalization, and constant change, as old as the city itself. In Austin’s earliest days, the intersection of Pecan Street and Congress was the epicenter of town. As the city grew and prospered, Sixth Street played a major role as a commercial corridor, and just as importantly became a multi-ethnic and multi-racial commercial and leisure zone. All that progress was halted by the 1928 City Plan and changing demographics in downtown Austin, but the area experienced a resurgence fueled by historic preservation starting in the 1960s. Chart Sixth Street’s evolution with us this spring as we walk down Pecan Street/“Dirty Sixth”!

Celebrate the opening of this exhibition at the From Pecan to “Dirty Sixth” / Threads of Her Story Opening Reception on Saturday, January 25th | 5:00pm - 7:00pm. Learn more here.

selected images

Photograph of 200 East Sixth Street c. 1866. The man on the horse is William Oliphant, who owned a jewelry store on Pecan Street as early as 1852

Photograph of Halloween night on the 400 block of East Sixth Street, looking west, 1985.

The intersection of Congress and Sixth Street, c. 1900.

A promenade along East Sixth Street, c. 1900.

Photograph of 100 Block of East Sixth Street, c. 1877.

Photograph of a young man outside the “Shine Parlor,” Photo of a young man outside of the “Shine Parlor,” 100 block of East Sixth Street, 1974.

Photograph of the 400 block of East Sixth Street, showing the A&A Pawn Shop, 1974, by Thomas J. Sykes.

Undated photograph of the 300 block of East Sixth Street showing the St. Charles House hotel prior to Dr. Emma Lou Linn’s 1971 purchase and renovation of the property.