Andrew Jackson Zilker

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:
Voted Austin's most worthy citizen twice, Indiana native Andrew Jackson Zilker (1858-1934) grew up with a strong respect for the laborers along the Ohio River. He came to Austin penniless in 1876 but quickly became a businessman and bank director. He contributed to his community at the neighborhood, city and county levels. Believing in the importance of "practical" education, he indirectly funded school industrial programs when he sold 366 acres of parkland including Barton Springs, to the city. The payments on the land were required to go to the school district. A gift of 32 additional acres in 1934 added to the city's most cherished recreation area, Zilker Park.

Erected:
2003

Handicapped Accessibility:
This marker is accessible to persons of all mobility.

Location:
2201 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78746

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Barton Springs Pool

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:
Clear and icy, these springs over the years have drawn Indians, pioneers, and tourists to this spot. The waters are brought from the limestone strata to the surface by the Balcones Fault, which bisects Central Texas. Average flow is 27,000,000 gallons daily.

During 1730-1731, Spanish friars located three missions here. Colorful settler William "Uncle Billy" Barton patented the land about 1837, naming two of the springs for his daughters Parthenia and Eliza. His two tame baby buffalos soon began to attract sightseers to his place, in spite of constant danger from Indian attacks.

As the place gained in popularity, one astute Austin merchant installed a merry-go-round here and rented bathing suits to swimmers. In 1871 he and several others built ice-making machines at the springs. In addition, flour mills, sawmills, and a quarry appeared along the creek banks.

About 1875 the riverboat "Sunbeam" ran excursions to Barton's at 50 cents a round trip. At one period a ferry was located here on a main road to Austin.

Between 1901 and 1913 A. J. Zilker, leading merchant, bought this land and in 1918 and 1931 deeded it to the people of Austin for use as a park.

Erected:
1970

Handicapped Accessibility:
This marker is fairly accessible to persons with all mobility.
Location:
Outside the Barton Springs Pool.
 2201 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78746

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Texas Newspapers, C.S.A.

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:
Among privations endured in Texas during the Civil War (1861-65) was the shortage of newspapers, which dwindled from 82 (combined circulation: 100,000) to fewer than 20 by early 1862. Many newspapermen had closed shop and enlisted at once, when the war began. Others were forced to quit for lack of ink and paper, available only through Mexico or the blockaded Gulf Coast. A good pre-war paper had four 5-column pages, but many wartime issues were limited to half a page, printed on bill forms, wallpaper, tissue, straw paper, or brown wrapping paper. State subsidies for paper making resulted in very little production. Citizens made ink substitutes, but in very small quantities.

To get news, editors copied months' old letters or clippings from soldiers or blockade runners. The "Texas Republican" (Marshall) led in coverage, as it had the use of army telegraph items. The "State Gazette" (Austin) kept a pony express rider at the Brenham railhead to bring in Houston papers only 18 hours old. The Houston "Telegraph" had a staffer with the army, and shared with the Galveston "News" the expenses of a courier to and from Virginia--who also carried family and Confederate mail when slipping through Federal lines to cross the Mississippi.


Erected:
1971

Handicapped Accessibility:
This historical marker is not accessible at all. It hangs on the side of the building at the top of the steps. If a person with mobility issues wanted to see this historical marker they would be out of luck.

Location:
718 West 5th Street
Austin TX 78701

Austin World Music Festival (WobeonFest) - April 6-7, 2013

On April 6 and 7, 2013, Austin will host WobeonFEST (also known as the Austin World Music Festival) at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center in downtown Austin. International and local artists, both established and rising - and spanning several world music genres - will be performing including:

• Angelique Kidjo
• Collie Buddz
• Dubtonic Kru
• Fatoumata Diawara
• M.A.K.U. Sound System

Admission:
ALL-WEEKEND Apr 6+7 GA PASS

2-Day General Admission 11AM - 10PM (Age 13+; Kids 12 & under admitted Free) $49.50

SATURDAY GA PASS (Apr 6)
Sat General Admission 11AM - 10PM (Age 13+; Kids 12 & under admitted Free) $29.50

SUNDAY GA PASS (Apr 7)
Sunday General Admission 11AM - 10PM (Age 13+; Kids 12 & under admitted Free) $29.50

SATURDAY VIP PASS (Apr 6)
Saturday VIP Pass - includes up-close stage view, catered food, snacks, drink tickets, t-shirt, limited seating $149.00

SUNDAY VIP PASS (Apr 7)
Sunday VIP Pass - includes up-close stage view, catered food, snacks, drink tickets, t-shirt, limited seating $149.00

ALL-WEEKEND Apr 6+7 VIP PASS
2-Day VIP Access - incl up-close stage view, catered food, snacks, drink tickets, t-shirt, limited seating $249.00

When:
April 6-7, 2013

Handicapped Accessibility:
The Mexican American Cultural Center meets  ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements.


Location:
Emma S. Barrientos MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER
600 River Street, Austin, TX 78701

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Philosophers' Rock

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

A larger-than-life-size bronze sculpture of three renowned Austin writers that sits under a pecan grove at the entrance to Barton Springs Pool. J. Frank Dobie, Roy Bedichek, and Walter Prescott Webb used to meet at Barton Springs every afternoon and hold forth in what has been characterized as "Austin’s first literary salon." The men met on a rock at the edge of the pool that Bedichek dubbed "Philosophers’ Rock." The statue, by renowned sculptor Glenna Goodacre (who created the Women in Vietnam memorial in Washington D.C. and the image of Sacajawea on the new dollar coin) is an unforgettable depiction of three good friends engaged in an informal but intense discussion. A monument to friendship, ideas, the glory of nature and the joy of conversation, Philosophers’ Rock quickly became a beloved Austin landmark. The Austin Chronicle, in naming Philosophers’ Rock the "Best Public Art" in Austin, wrote: "It does what great statues do: recognize achievement, convey a sense of the community from which it sprang, and inspire us." The Austin American Statesman declared it "an irresistible connection to Texas’ literary past."

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Historical/background information credit: Capital Area Statues (of Austin, TX

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Location:
Outside Barton Springs Pool  
2101 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704

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Attic Film Fest - April 19-20, 2013

The Attic Film Festival, is an Independent Christian film festival held each spring in Austin, TX is back. This year will make the sixth year for this great annual film festival, whose mission is to support and empower Independent filmmakers to spread Christ’s message through film. According to their website, it is their sincere prayer that the films screened will honor Christ and that His message of forgiveness and love for all will bless everyone watching them. We at 2TourAustin.net are proud to be among the sponsors of this event.

At last years festival the wife and I
had a chance to meet
Michael Landon Jr., who produced
a film for World Vision
(JOURNEY TO JAMAA)
which won the competition.

The 2013 schedule is as follows:

Thursday, April 18 – TAFF Family Dinner and Fundraiser (tickets separate from Festival Tickets)

Friday, April 19, 5:30PM-10PM – Winning films from last Year

Saturday, April 20, 10AM-10PM – Competition Films, Awards Ceremony

Admission:
Weekend Pass $20
One Day Pass $15

Official Website:
http://www.atticfilmfest.org/

Location:
For The City Center,
500 East St John’s Ave
Austin, TX, 78752


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Smith-Marcuse-Lowry House

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

The Smith-Marcuse-Lowry House is an historic home in the Hyde Park Historic District in Austin, Texas. It is also a part of the Shadow Lawn Historic District, a subdivision within the Hyde Park neighborhood established by Hyde Park founder Monroe Shipe.
The house's original footprint was square, with two stories. It had a cedar shingle roof upon its completion. At the time of its construction, it was built with all the modern conveniences for its time period. The house was wired for electric light, featured a gas fireplace-in-the-round for heating, transoms and double hung windows for circulation and had a water collection and retention system. Texas Victorian homes have much less ornate scrollwork than traditional Victorian homes, yet the work is still interesting. The porch railings and decorative elements of the Marcuse-Lowry home have been retained or reproduced in their original form. The house is located at 3913 Avenue C. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

- Wikipedia

Location:
3913 Ave G.
Austin, TX


Hours:
Not open to the public