History behind the House of The Blue Nagual explored.

The House of The Blue Nagual is one of Austin’s lesser known music venues. Only so much history is known or archived about this place. This news article will discuss the music and history behind this music venue.


The House of The Blue Nagual opened in 1986 inside of the former Elroy School on Elroy Road in Del Valle, Texas which right next to Austin, Texas. The former Elroy School would serve as a music venue called House of The Blue Nagual. Blues and jazz music could often be heard playing at House of Blue Nagual. Although it was mostly blues music that was played and performed.

Austin American-Stateman heavily advertised the hype surrounding this bluesy Austin music venue in their newspaper in 1986 under the caption of “HOUSE OF THE BLUE NAGUAL Austin's newest original music venue. OPENING SOON!!” with a phone number of 512-243-2118. Austin American-Stateman advertised and called the music venue “Austin's newest original music venue”. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/363700654/)

Austin American-Stateman advertised House of The Blue Nagual heavily in their newspaper in both 1986 and 1987 under the caption of “HOUSE OF THE BLUE NAGUAL 9019 Elroy Road, 243-2118”. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/378431074/)

Now House of The Blue Nagual did not actually own this building but rented from Y Knot Ranch. Y Knot Ranch owned this building and property surrounding the brick building. For a short time throughout the 1980s, Y Knot Ranch owned and leased the building to various businesses and organizations. Both Y Knot Ranch and Del Valle ISD owned the property together through a joint venture.

Kid Creole & the Coconuts, Dan Del Santo, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, Beulah Agnes Jones, and Geneva Rawlins were among many of the musicians to have performed at House of Blue Nagual.


For whatever reason, House of The Blue Nagual abruptly shut down and ceased operations in early 1987. The reasons why remain unknown. House of The Blue Nagual would never operate again.

By the summer of 1987, the former Elroy School had been converted into a home. The Austin-American Statesman listed the schoolhouse up for sale in the REAL ESTATE section of their newspaper on June 21, 1987. The Austin-American Statesman listed Elroy School as “ALL BRICK schoolhouse converted to home, many possibilities.” in the advertisement. (Ref: Austin-American Statesman, June 21, 1987)

In late 1987, Travis County Fire Rescue and Setco Fire District 8 purchased the Elroy School from Y Knot Ranch and Del Valle Independent School District. Setco purchases Elroy school Setco Fire District 8 has, as of Sept. 1 They became the owner of the old Elroy School and surrounding two acres. The school was left essentially intact, but the interior was renovated to be used as a meeting room. (Ref: Austin American-Statesman, Setco purchases Elroy school, Page 52, Thursday, October 15, 1987)

In an August 24, 1989 edition of the Austin American-Statesman newspaper explains the red brick schoolhouse has been converted to a fire station. (The red brick schoolhouse is Elroy School.) The former Elroy School building became a fire station for Travis County. Fire station Travis County Fire Rescue ESD #11 currently serves a majority of southeastern Travis County. In recent years buildings were added onto Elroy School. 2 buildings were added next to the former Elroy School building. (Ref: Austin American-Statesman, August 24, 1989)

The House of The Blue Nagual was located at 9019 Elroy Road, Del Valle, Texas, US 78617.