Tarry House

In West Austin, our neighborhood was called Tarrytown, likely named for the Westchester County, NY leafy suburb.  According to a local realtor the area was platted post WW 2 likely when that area was ripe for growth.  Probably was a long way from downtown back then.

In 1960 a club called Tarry House was established, likely on land which held the existing house and the owner didn't want subdivided.  It sits on Bowman Ave, with other houses around it.  My research shows that the previous owner was The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest  which used it as a conference center. 

 Established in 1960, Tarry House is nestled away in the shade and located in the heart of the neighborhood. It provides members with a pool, great food, and good service.

http://westaustin.com/neighborhoods/tarrytown

When we first moved to Austin my aunt and uncle took us there.  There was a pool and a clubhouse patio.  It was kind of like a country club but on a very small scale.

Even looking back then it seems very anachronistic.  I guess it got its start when the Austin Country Club moved to East Riverside from W. 38th St. and the locals didn't want to drive out there.

My fondest memory was when we were out late one night and I had the bright idea to go swim in the Tarry House pool.  I presume I heard the idea from someone else before but nevertheless, it was my idea.  My friend Tom and I drove in about 1 am and jumped in to swim for a while.  I recall we were playing the radio loud to Just A Gigolo by David Lee Roth.  No big thing, right?

Suffice to say if that had happened today, I'd be caught trespassing, arrested, fined, etc.  But this was before the days of late patrols, locked gates, security guards, and so forth.  Looking at some Google Earth photos, the trees in front which covered our escapade are thinned out considerably and there is much more parking space which was previously green space or forest.

I wonder what the Tarry House is like these day?  I hear it is still open.  Probably hasn't changed a bit.