Seaholm Power Plant
historic place
The Seaholm Power Plant, a historic place in Austin, Travis County, was commissioned in 1948. It was designed by Burns & McDonnell to meet Austin's growing electricity demands after World War II, driven by population growth and new appliances. Construction occurred in two phases, in 1950 and 1955. The plant's buildings reflect the Art Moderne style, characterized by solid, site-cast concrete construction. Originally known as Power Plant No. 2, it was posthumously renamed on June 2, 1960, for Walter E. Seaholm, who served Austin for 35 years, including as City Manager and Director of Utilities. From 1950 to 1959, Seaholm served as Austin's sole source of electric power. The plant ceased generating power in 1989 and was fully shut down in 1996, after a period as a training facility. After extensive environmental cleanup, the site was redeveloped into a mixed-use district. A historical marker, erected in 2007, recognizes the Seaholm Power Plant as an industrial and architectural landmark.