AUSTIN -- On Wednesday, June 24, the Pecan Street Association is unveiling eighth of its historic plaques on east Sixth Street, also known as Pecan Street, celebrating those who developed the historic district and its culture.
The Celebrate Sixth Street Plaque Project will bring to life the history of Pecan Street and celebrate the life of Leslie Cochran, Austin's famous thong-wearing transient, and the contribution he made to the unique charm of Sixth Street.
Cochran, who died earlier this year in March, would have been 64 on June 24, 2015.
Cochran's birthday celebration will be held at the Nook on 309 E. Sixth Street around 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
The plaque reads:
Leslie, Queen of Austin (born Albert Leslie Cochran), roamed 6th St. in g-strings and heels with his trademark goatee, and had a saucy comment for every passerby who snapped a photo with him. A political activist, he ran for mayor three times, coming in second place once. The Black Cat, at 309 E. 6th, was his favorite bully pulpit and he would have loved the famous Live Music Capital of the World mural now inside.
Cochran embodied the "Keep Austin Weird" spirit, inspiring dress-up refrigerator magnets and the iLeslie phone app with soundbites and interviews. Mayor Lee Leffingwell declared March 8 "Leslie Cochran Day", proclaiming him an indelible image in the memories of many Austin visitors and tourists.
