Bug's Guidebook to Texas.

[Bugman]

Like any large city, there are places and things that give Austin its own unique flavor. This month, we'll visit some of those places.

In 1839 the Texas government purchased 7,735 acres of land centered on the Colorado River. This included the small settlement of Waterloo. 640 acres boarded by Waller Creek on the east and Shoal Creek to the west were chosen to be sold and developed.

In 1842 Sam Houston, first President of The Republic of Texas ordered the national archives be moved from Austin. This action led to the Archive War.

On Christmas Day 1871 the Houston and Central Texas Railway came to town. This sparked a building boom, and in five years the population more than doubled, to over 10,000. By 1920 Austin was home to an estimated 34,876. For decades after that, growth largely stagnated. This would change with the coming of the computer industry. By the 1980s many hi-tech companies built or were building facilities in and around Austin, and the population boomed. Dell is headquartered in Round Rock, just north of here. IBM, 3-M, Advanced Micro Devices and other companies on the cutting edge of technology have a presence in Austin.

As of July 2011 the population was estimated at 820,611. With a booming economy, Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in America. New apartment complexes, single family homes, condominiums, and office and retail space are popping up like mushrooms in and around the Greater Austin Area.

 

[Bugman]

Our tour begins at the Congress Avenue Bridge. The first bridge here was a pontoon toll bridge, built sometime between 1869 - 1871. It was replaced by a wooden toll bridge. On one occasion a herd of cattle were driven across it. Their weight caused a section of the bridge to collapse, and few of the beasts were pulled from the Colorado River alive.

The first modern, iron bridge opened in January 1884. By 1908 traffic had increased to the point that a new bridge was needed. It opened April 4 1910, and was rehabilitated in 1980. Today, it is home to the largest urban bat colony in the world. Estimates of the Mexican free-tailed bat colony go as high as 1.5 million. Weather allowing, during the warmer months around dusk people line the bridge, gather on the river banks and even bring small boats to watch as clouds of bats fly off into the gathering darkness in search of food. It really is something to see.

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[C.A.B.]

Very cool. Great job. I like Texas.

Let me ask you, are there places in NE Texas that are heavily forested? My mind always paints Texas as caliche and scrub.

 

[Bugman]

Very cool. Great job. I like Texas.

Let me ask you, are there places in NE Texas that are heavily forested? My mind always paints Texas as caliche and scrub.

Thanks C.A.B. I love my adopted state. To answer your question, yes. The Piney Woods encompass almost all of East Texas and spill over into Arkansas and Louisiana. There are so many misconceptions about Texas in the public mind. East Texas is beautiful, and home to many state parks. Sam Rayburn Reservoir is one of the largest in the state, and is a popular spot to camp, fish, and explore the region.

 

[Bugman]

William Sidney Porter (better known as O. Henry) lived in this modest home with his wife and daughter 1893 - 95.

Built as a rental property in 1886, the house stood at 308 E. 4th Street. In 1929 a man named Herman Becker bought the house and gave it to the Rotary Club. They gave it to the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and the Daughters of 1812 January 23 1934, who in turn donated it to the City of Austin. Later that year the house was moved to its present location at 409 E. 5th Street and opened as a museum in June of that year. There is no charge to visit the home, and helpfull docents are on hand to answer questions. About one-third of the items belonged to the family: the rest are period pieces. Due to restrictions, I have no pictures of the interior.

 

[milagros317]

Very impressive video and great photos, Bugman. 😀
O. Henry is one of my favorite short story authors, too.

 

[Bugman]

Elisabet Ney (1833 - 1907) was an artist born in Munster Westphalia. As a young woman she married a Scottish physician - scientist. In 1871 they moved to Georgia and in 1872 to Waller County Texas, where they bought the Linedo Plantation. Her husband was occupied with his practice and scientific interests so Ney was in charge of the day to day management of the plantation. In 1892 Ney bought a piece of property at 304 E. 44Th Street in the then fashionable Hyde Park neighborhood in Austin and built a studio, which she christened Formosa. After her death in 1907 some friends bought the land and studio to ensure her work would be remembered. Today, some of her statues can be seen in the Capitol Building and the Texas State Cemetary on E. 7th Street. The museum is closed while the HAVC system is replaced. It will re-open June 1.

Like so many neighorhoods across the country, Hyde Park experienced a long, slow decline after WW II. The old homeowners died off, and men and women returning from overseas wanted new homes in the booming suburbs. More and more abscente landlords snatched up homes at bargin prices, not really caring about the condition of the property so long as the rent checks came in every month.

This began to change in the 1970s as college students and young people just starting careers and families rented or bought property there, and those who bought began renovating their homes. Today, with its proximity to the University of Texas, downtown and other major employment centers, Hyde Park is once again a desireable place to live.

 

[Bugman]

Very impressive video and great photos, Bugman. 😀
O. Henry is one of my favorite short story authors, too.

Thanks Mils, glad you've enjoyed it. There is more to come. O. Henry was a great author. Who has not read at least some of his short stories? Those who have not don't know what they are missing.

 

[Bugman]

Allison Mayfield (1860 - 1923) was born in Overton Texas. During his college years Mayfield suffered from an extended illness that kept him from graduating. Rather than return to school, he began reading law at the office of Horace Chilton in Tyler, and was admitted to the bar in 1883. Mayfield later served as Texas Secretary of State and Chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas. In a fine stroke of irony this agency has nothing to do with railroads, and regulates the energy industry in Texas. But, I digress.

In 1909 Mayfield bought a small home and 22 acres of land in a then rural area of Travis County. Additions to the home followed over the years. Sometime after his death, the house and land were donated to the city. Today, Mayfield Park and Preserve is one of the hidden gems of the park system. Although it is a short drive west of the bustling MoPac Expressway, most people in Austin have no idea it exists. It is a quiet, peaceful place, and one of my favorite parks in Austin. After seeing the pictures, I think you will understand why.

 

[Bugman]

More pictures of the park. Second picture: A family member raised and bred doves. This structure was built to house them.

 

[Bugman]

The last Mayfield pictures.

 

[Bugman]

At 350 acres Zilker Park is the largest in the city limits. There are soccer and volleyball fields, and a polo field.
The park is also home to botanical and sucpture gardens and Zilker Hillside Theater, where live productions are offered. The star attraction though, is Barton Springs, named for William Barton who was an early settler in Texas. Andrew Jackson Zilker came to Austin as a young man with fifty cents in his pocket. By 1901 he was buying land along the Colorado River which included what is now the park. In 1917 he donated this land to the school district who in turn sold it to the city for $100,000 dollars.

This building has some park offices and exhibts explaning the importence of the Edwards Aquifer to Central Texas.

 

[Bugman]

For generations of Austin families a dip in the chilly spring waters (average 72 degrees year round) has been considered a rite of passage.

 

[Bugman]

A ride on the Zilker Zephyr miniture train is always a big hit with the little ones and adults alike.

 

[Bugman]

This concession stand serves hungry and thirsty visitors. The small ampitheater was built sometime in the early 1900s. It surrounds Eliza Spring and feeds off the waters of Barton Springs.

For some reason the pictures won't post in order.

 

[Bugman]

These pictures were taken from the parking lot where I found a spot.

 

[C.A.B.]

I'm really enjoying this series! Thank you, Bugs!

 

[Bugman]

The last Zilker pictures.

Texas Men of Letters J. Frank Dobie, Walter Prescott Webb and Roy Bedichek often gathered on a limestone shelf along Barton Creek to discuss the ways of the world. It became known as Philosophers Rock. The exact location seems to be lost to us.

 

[Bugman]

I'm really enjoying this series! Thank you, Bugs!

I thank you good sir, for your intrest. The Guidebook series (under a different title) began in 2011, and I've enjoyed doing it. Who dosen't what to share the things in life we love?