The Austin Board of Realtors has spent decades helping Central Texans get the keys to their homes. On Wednesday, the organization received a key of its own.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson presented ABoR President John Crowe with a key to the city during the organization’s annual Central Texas Housing Summit, recognizing the organization as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.
“I thought it only appropriate on a centennial like this, to do something truly special and that is to do true unlocking, and that is to present a key to the city,” Watson said.
The presentation was one of several recognitions honoring the association’s centennial Wednesday. A proclamation from Gov. Greg Abbott commemorating the milestone was also read. City Council Member Marc Duchen attended the summit along with representatives from several council offices, including those of Chito Vela, Natasha Harper-Madison and Zo Qadri.
The association’s original charter was issued in 1926, when Austin had a population of about 53,000 people. The organization later established one of the nation’s first independent multiple listing services in 1952 and became the first real estate association in Texas to integrate in 1966.