The lake that lies in the heart of Austin changed names nearly half a century after its creation. Out of habit, many old-timers still call it by its old name -- Town Lake -- though the city officially changed it to Lady Bird Lake after the death of former first lady Lady Bird Johnson, who called Central Texas home.
The Creation of Town Lake
In 1960, the construction of Longhorn Dam on the Colorado River created the reservoir that came to be called Town Lake. The lake, which is primarily used for flood control and recreation, is jointly owned and operated by the City of Austin and the Lower Colorado River Authority.
After about a decade, the reservoir and its shoreline became polluted and choked by weeds. That prompted revitalization efforts led by then-Mayor Roy Butler and Lady Bird Johnson. The Town Lake Beautification Committee worked to create a usable recreation area around the reservoir, including a system of hike-and-bike trails along the shore. As of 2011, the trail system around the lake -- popular with locals and out-of-town visitors -- awaits another expansion with money approved by Austin voters in 2010.
Name Change
In July 2007, Lady Bird Johnson died at her home in the West Lake Hills area of Austin. Shortly after her death, Austin city officials, led by then-Mayor Will Wynn, moved to officially change the name of Town Lake to honor her memory and her legacy as an advocate for conservation. During her lifetime, Johnson had refused to consider accepting the name change though the attention and fundraising power she brought to the lake beautification project were credited as a primary source for its success. So on July 26, 2007, the Austin City Council officially renamed the reservoir Lady Bird Lake.