Jim Olenbush

Located off of FM 2222 between Hwy 360 and RR 620 on the north shore of Lake Austin, the country club neighborhood of River Place provides residents with a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of nearby Austin.

Laid out in a loop that surrounds River Place Country Club, the community features residential areas on both its north and south ends.

Austin is one of the most popular places to live in the United States today, but few people stop to think about the history of the capital city and how it came to be the success that it is today. The reality is that Austin has a long and interesting history that dates back all the way to 1835 and, thanks to the many events that have taken place throughout its history, the city is now a leader within many industries as well as with the "green" movement.

Austin has been the capitol city of Texas since 1839, but few people know that the city was once at risk of being ousted from its position. In fact, despite the fact that buildings had been constructed in the city and the entire governing body had been relocated to Austin, Sam Houston made a genuine attempt to relocate the capitol seat from Austin to Houston in 1841.

Long time residents of Austin are well aware of the fact that the capital city experienced a significant boom in the 1990s and has continued to grow ever since. The fact that so many people are drawn to Austin doesn't come as much of a surprise to those who live there. After all, the capital city is at the forefront when it comes to eco-friendly design and innovation and it is also one of the most important centers of the technology industry in the country.

Although Austin's official nickname is "The Live Music Capital of the World," its unofficial name has long been "Keep Austin Weird." Still, it is important to note that the city is not "weird" just for the sake of being different. Rather, the residents of the capital city have long pushed against the growth of chain retailers and mass-market companies.

Those who live in Austin are able to regularly enjoy the exciting music scene, the ample educational opportunities and the strong economy that the city has to offer. Still, many do not know much about the capital city's history and how it got to be the city that we know and love today. Here is a look at a few interesting historical facts that have helped shape Austin into the great city it has become.

If you are planning to visit the Austin area, you will be pleased by the large number of accommodations available in the area. Still, there are a few that stand out above the rest and are recognized by industry experts as being the top that Austin has to offer. These include:

* Austin Motel
* Barton Creek Resort and Spa
* Driskill Hotel
* Hyatt Regency Austin
* Intercontinental Stephan F.