History of Cottonwood Inn in Austin, Texas revisited.

Cottonwood Inn is one of the many forgotten inns and hotels of Austin, Texas which has some history behind it. Most Oak Hillians (Oak Hill residents) know about Cottonwood Inn. Cottonwood Inn was an inn and bar located in the Oak Hill neighborhood of Austin, Texas. Not too much history can be found out about Cottonwood Inn though.

Miz Monroe had been running the Circleville Inn during late 1940s and when the lease came up the owners of the property refused to renew the lease. This got her mad. So she decided to purchase land and opened the Cottonwood Inn inside of two merged single story rectangular buildings which were surplus army barracks. (Ref: https://oakhillgazette.com/history/2012/03/oak-hill-yesteryear-honky-tonks-and-juke-joints/)

Cottonwood Inn was in competition with Circleville Inn as a business. They were rivals in a sense due to being close in proximity. Cottonwood Inn had a rough reputation. Both inns were considered to be dangerous due to the crowds they brought in. Heating was provided by a fireplace. Cottonwood Inn was a beer joint that had a jukebox too. (Ref: https://donnamariemillerblog.com/2014/02/22/oak-hills-old-timers-tell-tales-about-the-good-ol-days/)

This inn would have “open nights” where people will bring their own instruments and perform music. Most of the music performed at this bar was honky tonk country music.

A fire occurred inside the building in the middle of 1970. Nearly the whole building burned down. The Cottonwood Inn closed after the first fire and would not reopen. The Cottonwood Inn was leveled after a couple more fires. Nothing remained of Cottonwood Inn by 1971.

Cottonwood Inn was located at 9927 Circle Drive, Austin, Texas, US 78736.