Greater South River City in Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Congress Avenue Bridge Roost

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 5, 2019

1. The Congress Avenue Bridge Roost Marker

Inscription. Bats have lived in Austin for many years, but they did not arrive in great numbers under the Congress Avenue Bridge until a major deck reconstruction in 1980. This new construction created crevices 16 inches deep running the length of the bridge. Bats live primarily in those that are three quarters to one-and-a-half inches wide. Temperature and humidity conditions within these spaces are ideal for raising young.

Erected by Austin American-Statesman.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1980.

Location. 30° 15.612′ N, 97° 44.718′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Greater South River City. It is on South Congress Avenue north of Barton Springs Rd. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 305 S Congress Ave, Austin TX 78704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Texas.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The “Austin Statesman” (approx. 0.2 miles away); Congress Avenue (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of the Headquarters of the United States Army for 5th Military District (approx. ¼ mile away); Grinninger Fence (approx. ¼ mile away); Austin City Limits (approx. 0.4 miles away); H&TC and I&GN Depots (approx. 0.4 miles away); J.P. Schneider Store (approx. 0.4 miles away); Swift Building (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Austin, C.S.A. (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 5, 2019

2. The Congress Avenue Bridge Roost Marker

Crowds congregate daily on the south side of the Congress Bridge for the evening bat viewing.

Bat Observation Station Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 5, 2019

3. Bat Observation Station Marker

The historic marker is located in the Austin American Statesman's Bat Observation Center.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 110 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 14, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.