Looking at a photo of Austin from the 1970s that I stumbled upon, it appears completely different from the Austin we know today.

There are no high-rise buildings, the sky is vast, the city is low, and everything seems to breathe slowly.

For those accustomed to the high-rises of modern Austin, this photo can only feel warm.

The stars of the skyline back then were not glass buildings but the Texas State Capitol and the main tower of the University of Texas.

These two buildings stood out from anywhere, anchoring the city, surrounded by low buildings clustered together.

It was a time when the city was not as crowded, the sky was clear, and everything flowed at a slower pace.

Long before the current Austin slogan was created, this city already had its own atmosphere and leisure.

Austin in the 1970s was neither busy nor expensive. It was a city where hippies and cowboys shared a table over beers, and a free-spirited vibe was part of everyday life.

Among the low buildings in the photo, small performance venues were hidden, and during that time, Willie Nelson settled here, giving rise to outlaw country music.

Housing prices and living costs were so low compared to today that artists and musicians could rent a room and focus solely on their creations. The cultural roots of modern Austin were established during this period.

Then, starting in the mid-1970s, changes began to occur gradually. Early high-rise buildings like the Chase Tower started to rise, and Austin prepared to transition from a small college town to a big city.

Still, the area around Lady Bird Lake in the photo remained filled with trees and walking paths, where people sat by the river, kayaking and lounging on the grass in the afternoons. The skyline of this era perfectly captured the excitement of growth and the tranquility of daily life.

Today, Austin has become Silicon Hills, where large corporations gather, and it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Thus, this photo from 1970 evokes a strange feeling in viewers. While we have gained much, we have also lost a sense of slowness and community. However, it is also true that the free and relaxed atmosphere of that time contributed to the Austin we know today.

The 1970 Austin skyline photo is not just an old photograph. It shows that even as cities change, the spirit of that city does not easily fade away. Even now, with countless buildings obscuring the sky, the low capitol and quiet streets in that photo still hold the roots of Austin.

Longing for that tranquility while also feeling the vibrant energy of today. That seems to be the greatest charm of Austin.