<P> After Republic of Texas Vice President Mirabeau B. Lamar visited the area during a buffalo - hunting expedition between 1837 and 1838 , he proposed that the republic 's capital , then located in Houston , be relocated to an area situated on the north bank of the Colorado River near the present - day Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge in what is now central Austin . In 1839 , the site was officially chosen as the seventh and final location for the capital of the Republic of Texas . It was incorporated under the name `` Waterloo '' . Shortly thereafter , the name was changed to Austin in honor of Stephen F. Austin , the `` Father of Texas '' and the republic 's first secretary of state . </P>
<P> After Republic of Texas Vice President Mirabeau B. Lamar visited the area during a buffalo - hunting expedition between 1837 and 1838 , he proposed that the republic 's capital , then located in Houston , be relocated to an area situated on the north bank of the Colorado River near the present - day Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge in what is now central Austin . In 1839 , the site was officially chosen as the seventh and final location for the capital of the Republic of Texas . It was incorporated under the name `` Waterloo '' . Shortly thereafter , the name was changed to Austin in honor of Stephen F. Austin , the `` Father of Texas '' and the republic 's first secretary of state . </P>
who suggested waterloo as the place for a permanent capital of texas
who suggested waterloo as the place for a permanent capital of texas
Mirabeau B. Lamar
Mirabeau B. Lamar