Newsboy Statue

This statue used to set outside the offices of the Texas Press Association. However, it was vandalized by some unthinking person(s). After it was repaired, the statue was moved inside to protect it from further vandalism.

Photo Coming Soon!

Handicap Accessibility:
There are steps that leads from the sidewalk to the offices where this statue is located. As of the time being I have not found a handicapped entrance, but will ask when I return to photograph the newly repaired statue.

Location:
Texas Press Association
718 West 5th Street
Austin, TX 78701-2783
moved inside Texas Press Association Offices in downtown Austin.
Phone: (512) 477-6755

Mount Bonnell

Mount Bonnell was part of  a 54-acre tract  of land owned by F. M. Covert, Sr.  A pioneer Austin businessman. Negotiations to give the summit of Mt. Bonnell, to be known as Covert Park, to the people of Travis County began in 1934 but was concluded by the remaining members of the Covert family in honor of their father  on June 2, 1939. Covert Park at Mt. Bonnell provides a fabulous view of the Colorado River valley and the city of Austin skyline.

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:
Rising 775 feet above sea level, this limestone height was named for George W. Bonnell, who came to Texas with others to fight for Texas independence, 1836. Was commissioner of Indian Affairs in Republic of Texas under president Sam Houston. Moved in 1839 to Austin; there published the "Texas Sentinel", 1840. Member Texan-Santa Fe expedition, 1841. Was captured but released in time to join Mier expedition, 1842. Was killed in camp on Rio Grande, Dec, 26, 1842. Frontiersman W.A.A. "Bigfoot" Wallace killed an indian he met face to face while crossing a narrow ledge 50 feet above river, 1839. He also took refuge in a Mount Bonnell cave to recover from "flux", but was missing so long his sweetheart eloped. In the mid-1800s Mormons built a mill on the Colorado river at foot of Mount Bonnell. Mill was destroyed by flood and the Mormons moved on west. Mount Bonnell was site of picnics and outings in 1850s and 1860s. As it is today. Legend has it that an excursion to the place in the1850s inspired the popular song "Wait for the Wagon and We'll All Take a Ride". As a stunt in 1898, Miss Hazel Keyes slid down a cable stretched from the top of Mount Bonnell to south bank of then Lake McDonald below.

Texas State Historical Marker
photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Erected:
1969

picturesque view from Mount Bonnell
of the Pennybacker Bridge (on 360)
photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Handicapped Accessibility:
Depends on the mobility issue. If you can't climb the steps (like my wife), there is a hiking trail to the far right of the park base. As you can see in the pictures below, if you are able to use crutches you can barely make it pass the locked access gate. However, if you are in a wheelchair, there is no way for you to access the park at all. That said, even if you get to the top of this access area, you will not be able to make on to the top of the Mount, due to the uneven step like trail from that point on.

Photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Pat Surbaugh at Mt. Bonnell
Photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Photo by Kevin Surbaugh

View Larger Map
Location:
3800 Mt. Bonnell Rd.
Austin, TX 78731
GPS:
N 30 19.270 W 097 46.297
What do you think about this attraction?

The 3rd Annual International Music Festival

This weekend is the Third Annual International Music Festival. I have not been to the first or second ones, so I am kind curious about this one.  But, lets face it everyone likes music, so to have a festival that showcases music from around the world (a complete list of the music at this years festival).
When:
September 7 & 8, 2013
Noon-7p.m.

Admission:
Free
Handicapped Accessibility:
Yes

Website:
www.texasmusicmuseum.org/

Location:
George Washington Carver
Museum and Cultural Events Center
1165 Angelina Street
Austin, TX 78702


Have you been to this festival in the past? We would love to hear your comments about the festival.

Texas in the Civil War — Federal Forces

 Texas in the Civil War — Federal Forces 2210 West 35th Street (30° 18.577′ N, 97° 45.634′ W.)

Inscription: When Texas joined the Confederacy in 1861, some men disagreed. Mainly these were from foreign countries or the north, or did not uphold states’ rights. Some of them left here and joined northern army units. Others joined federal forces near home. A 1st Texas Cavalry (Union), made up of 310 men in 8 companies, was organized by a Texan, Col. E.J. Davis, across the Rio Grande, in Mexico. Nucleus of 2nd Texas Cavalry (Union) was formed in New Orleans, adding men in Louisiana and Mexico until it had 4 companies. They merged 1864 into 1st Texas Volunteer Cavalry (Union). Individual Texas prisoners of war obtained freedom by becoming “galvanized Yankees” – men coating over their old opinions with blue uniforms. These fought Indians on frontiers, not old Confederate comrades. However, Texans in the Federal Army sometimes were in battle against old neighbors, or even their own relatives, in Red River campaigns in Louisiana, on the coast, and in south and west Texas. On each side by turns were enlisted the partisan Rangers of A.J. Vidal – deserting the Confederates in 1863, the Federals and the war itself in 1864. Federal soldiers from Texas were a small minority because 90,000 Texans fought for the Confederacy.
Erected: 1965