Georgetown neighborhood guide
Old Town, Georgetown, Texas
Between the courthouse Square and Southwestern University, Old Town is the historic heart of Georgetown, with Victorian homes, Craftsman bungalows and deep front porches under century old trees, all within an easy walk of downtown.
Built by Belford and the families of early Georgetown
Old Town grew up in the late 1800s and early 1900s, as Georgetown’s merchants, ranchers and professors built homes on the streets south and east of the Square. Today it holds one of the finest collections of historic homes in Central Texas, from grand Victorians to farmhouses, Prairie style homes and mid century bungalows.
The Belford Historic District
Named for master builder Charles S. Belford, whose Belford Lumber Company built many of its homes, this eight block district along Austin Avenue and Main Street holds Vernacular, Prairie and Queen Anne houses, including Belford’s own. Belford was known for supervising construction details himself.
University Avenue and Elm Street
In the 1890s, several of Georgetown’s most successful families built large Victorian frame homes here. Two on University Avenue belonged to the daughters of a local ranching family, while two Elm Street houses with matching gingerbread trim were built by families who were close friends.
Olive Street and beyond
Olive Street holds its own cluster of historic homes, including Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks, and dozens of other houses throughout Old Town carry historic markers that make an evening walk feel like a history tour.
Living in a historic overlay
What the Old Town Overlay means for owners
Much of the neighborhood sits within the City of Georgetown’s Old Town Overlay District, which covers mostly residential areas between downtown and Southwestern University and south to parts of 17th, 18th and 19th Streets. The overlay has its own design standards meant to keep the historic character of the homes and streets.
- Exterior projects such as additions, new construction, demolition and some exterior changes may be reviewed by the city’s historic planning staff.
- Interior updates are generally where owners have the most freedom to modernize.
- Plan ahead. Review can add time to a project, so it is worth understanding the process before you buy.
Requirements depend on the property and can change. Buyers planning renovations should verify what is allowed with the City of Georgetown historic preservation office before making an offer.
Price points
What homes cost in Old Town
Old Town prices span a wide range, from small cottages and condos to fully restored Victorians on large corner lots, so the right comparison is always street by street and house by house.
Restored historic homes near the Square and on the most sought after blocks can sell well above these figures, while homes needing work can offer a way into the neighborhood.
Market figures are from third party sources as of 2026, are not guaranteed and change often. Ask us for current sales on any street you are considering.
Schools
Which schools serve Old Town
Old Town is in Georgetown ISD. Because the neighborhood covers many blocks, elementary, middle and high school assignments can vary from one street to the next.
- Georgetown ISD serves the whole neighborhood.
- Zoning varies by address, so the school for one house may differ from a house a few blocks away.
- Southwestern University on the southern edge adds lectures, concerts and summer programs to neighborhood life.
Buyers should verify the schools for any address they are considering on the Georgetown ISD website.
Lois Perkins Chapel at Southwestern University, on the edge of Old Town. Photo by Ursula Whitworth.
Why residents love it
Small town life, a few blocks from the Square
Living in Old Town means leaving the car at home for much of what makes Georgetown special.
- The Square for Music on the Square on summer Fridays, Market Days and the Lighting of the Square after Thanksgiving.
- The Georgetown Public Library and Little Lemon cafe, a short walk away.
- Southwestern University, with concerts, theater and Lois Perkins Chapel.
- San Gabriel Park and Blue Hole, close by for river trails, picnics and swimming.
- The Red Poppy Festival each April, when poppies bloom in gardens all over the neighborhood.
Buying or selling in Old Town
Guidance for historic homes
Ursula lives in Georgetown, and Thence House Group works every transaction together. Historic homes reward the right buyer, but they deserve a careful look: foundations, older wiring and plumbing, windows, insurance costs and the overlay review process all factor into value. We help buyers weigh character against upkeep, and we help sellers present a historic home so its story and its updates both shine.
Want to find out more about Old Town?
Ask us about homes, streets, the overlay or timing. We are happy to help, with no pressure.
Already live in Old Town?
Join the neighbor list for community gatherings and local updates.
Old Town questions
Where is Old Town in Georgetown, Texas?
Old Town is the historic residential area south and east of the downtown Square, stretching toward Southwestern University. Much of it falls within the city’s Old Town Overlay District.
Is Old Town Georgetown a historic district?
Yes. The city’s Old Town Overlay District has its own design standards, and the neighborhood includes the Belford and University Avenue/Elm Street historic districts, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Can I renovate a house in Old Town Georgetown?
Often, yes, but exterior work such as additions, new construction and demolition may require review by the city’s historic planning staff. Requirements depend on the property, so buyers should verify what is allowed with the City of Georgetown before making an offer.
Can you walk to the Square from Old Town?
Yes. Many Old Town homes are just a few blocks from the Square, so restaurants, shops, the library and events like Music on the Square are an easy walk.
What school district is Old Town Georgetown in?
Old Town is in Georgetown ISD. School assignments can vary by street, so buyers should verify the schools for any address they are considering.
How much does a home in Old Town Georgetown cost?
Realty Austin reports a 12 month median sale price of about $420,000 for historic Georgetown, at about $291 per square foot, with restored homes on prime blocks selling well above that. Ask us for current sales on the streets you are considering.
Keep exploring
More of Georgetown
Curious about Old Town?
Whether you are hoping to find a historic home here or thinking about selling, we are happy to talk through the next sensible step.
Contact Thence House Group
Back to Georgetown
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Or call 737-403-5262 · hello@thencehouse.com