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The history of Georgetown
Georgetown’s historic courthouse district anchors a city of Victorian architecture, local shops and restaurants. Southwestern University and the San Gabriel River offer other starting points beyond the square.
People who shaped Georgetown
These milestones are an introduction, not a complete local history. Follow the linked city and museum sources to explore the people and places behind them.Read the local historical account.
Watch the city’s history
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Georgetown wood and stone 1 22 07 112K Stream
An archival film about Georgetown, Texas, shared under its original Wood and Stone title.
Watch on YouTube ↗Famous people born in Georgetown
See all 9 famous people
- 1848
A new county seat
Georgetown was established as Williamson County's seat in 1848. George Glasscock offered land for the new town, which took his name, and the first lots were sold in July.
Georgetown Multiple Resource Area: historic context ↗ - 1866
The town incorporates
Georgetown incorporated in 1866. Its civic and commercial center developed around the courthouse square, serving the surrounding agricultural county.
Williamson County Historical Commission ↗ - 1870s
University and railroad growth
The arrival of Southwestern University and railroad connections helped accelerate development. New residential additions spread east toward the university and south of the commercial district.
Georgetown Multiple Resource Area: historic context ↗ - 1878
A new courthouse
The county built a new courthouse in 1878. The project was part of a period of larger civic and commercial buildings, reflecting Georgetown's growing regional role.
Georgetown Multiple Resource Area: historic context ↗ - 1900
Southwestern's permanent campus
Southwestern University made its Georgetown site permanent with the Main Building, built between 1898 and 1900. The Ladies Annex had opened on the same grounds in 1889.
Texas Historical Commission: Southwestern University marker ↗ - 1963
Inner Space Cavern is found
A Texas Highway Department core-drilling crew found a cave on W. W. Laubach's land, and exploration began that November. Bones of Ice Age animals, including mammoths and sabre-toothed cats, were later found inside.
Texas Historical Commission: Inner Space Cavern marker ↗ - 1982
A Texas Main Street city
Georgetown joined the Texas Main Street program. The program has guided long-running work to restore historic buildings and revitalize the downtown square.
City of Georgetown: Main Street program ↗ - 1997
A national Main Street award
Georgetown became the first Texas city to win the Great American Main Street Award, the highest honor given by Main Street America, recognizing its downtown revitalization.
City of Georgetown: Main Street program ↗
See the history for yourself.
Check current opening hours and visitor information before you go: local cultural and visitor information.
For local services and public information, the local government website is a starting point. For historical research, consult local libraries, archives and museums and check collection-specific image permissions.
Selected milestones from the linked historical sources. This is an introduction, not a complete account of the city’s history.