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Castle Heights, Waco, Texas

Castle Heights is a historic residential neighborhood in central-north Waco, formally recognized by the City of Waco under the name "Austin Avenue" in the City's Neighborhood Directory. It is served by the Austin Avenue Neighborhood Association (AANA). The core historic district lies primarily in ZIP code 76710, between approximately 33rd and 39th Streets along Austin Avenue.

Castle Heights holds the distinction of being Waco's first neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP #07000495, listed 2009), the result of more than a decade of advocacy by neighborhood residents. Its curvilinear streets, City Beautiful design principles, and approximately 230 historic homes make it unlike any other neighborhood in Waco.

The neighborhood gained significant national attention when Chip and Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper purchased and restored Cottonland Castle — the historic landmark that gives the neighborhood its name — and documented the restoration in the HGTV series Fixer Upper: The Castle (2022).

Overview

  • ZIP Code: 76710 (core historic district); adjacent areas carry 76708
  • Population: ~1,732 (City-Data neighborhood estimate)
  • Community Feel: Walkable, tree-lined, family-oriented historic district. One of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Waco. Curvilinear streets and City Beautiful planning principles give it a distinctly different character from Waco's grid-based neighborhoods.
  • Resident Profile: Mix of long-established families and newer residents drawn by the historic homes, proximity to the Uptown Austin Avenue corridor, and neighborhood character. Middle-to-upper-middle class.

Key Characteristics

  • Location: Central-north Waco along Austin Avenue, from approximately 33rd to 39th Streets.
  • Boundaries (informal): Roughly bounded by Waco Drive, Oriental Road, Franklin Avenue, and 39th Street.
  • Architecture: Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, Spanish Colonial/Eclectic Revival, Georgian, Classical, Mediterranean, Gothic Revival, and Post-WWII Ranch styles. Many homes were designed by prominent Waco architectural firms Birch D. Easterwood and Son and Roy Lane (designer of the Amicable Building).
  • Neighborhood Association: Austin Avenue Neighborhood Association (AANA); 3101 Austin Ave.; annual dues $20; info@AustinAvenueWaco.com; austinavenuewaco.com
  • National Register: Waco's first NRHP-listed historic district (2009).
  • Education: Served by Waco Independent School District (WISD). For details, see the Castle Heights Schools file.

History

Castle Heights was platted in 1923 by developers W.T. Herrick (bank director and hardware store owner) and W.L. Wollett (farmer), named for Cottonland Castle and for its elevated position above the commercial district. The grassy knolls were then at the end of the Waco streetcar line, with unobstructed views of the Amicable Building downtown.

The neighborhood was designed according to City Beautiful Movement principles — large plots, curving streets (including Castle Avenue, Carondolet Boulevard, and Chateau Avenue), traffic circles, spacious backyards, and attached garages. This was a deliberate departure from Waco's otherwise perpendicular street grid.

The centerpiece, Cottonland Castle (3300 Austin Ave.), was begun in 1890 by stone contractor John Tennant using leftover materials, later purchased by cotton broker Ripley Hanrick in 1906, and completed ca. 1913 as a German Rhine-style castle with three stories, a basement, eight fireplaces, and a tower.

In 1939, Castle Heights incorporated as the Village of Castle Heights with A. Baker Duncan as elected mayor. In December 1945, the village was dissolved and annexed into the City of Waco. In 2009, the neighborhood achieved National Register listing after more than a decade of advocacy.

Cottonland Castle (2022 Restoration)

Chip and Joanna Gaines purchased Cottonland Castle in 2019 and completed a full restoration in 2022, documented in the six-episode HGTV series Fixer Upper: The Castle. The castle was subsequently opened for ticketed guided tours ($50/person) from November 2023 through September 2024. As of 2025, the property is listed for sale at approximately $2.9 million through Magnolia Realty.

Amenities and Lifestyle

  • Uptown Austin Avenue Corridor: The commercial strip along Austin Avenue (roughly 12th–25th Streets) offers independent boutiques, cafes, and restaurants within walking or short driving distance. Recent additions include Honey's Home+Style, Covet Antiques, and the David Mayfield Wine Shoppe.
  • Pinewood Coffee Bar (2223 Austin Ave.) — Named to Food & Wine's Best Coffee Shops by State list (2019).
  • Harvest on 25th (112 N. 25th St.) — Popular breakfast/brunch spot with vegetarian/vegan options.
  • Walkability: One of the more walkable residential areas in Waco outside of downtown/Sanger Heights.

Detailed Information

For more detailed information on crime rates, demographics, and housing, see the Castle Heights Details file.

Food and Dining

For a detailed list of dining options in and near Castle Heights, see the Castle Heights Restaurants file.

Religious Community

For a detailed list of churches in and near Castle Heights, see the Castle Heights Churches file.

Schools

For a detailed list of schools serving Castle Heights, see the Castle Heights Schools file.

Sources