My biggest item on my bucket list is to visit every, yes every single Presidential Library Museum. Thus far I have been to three. Jimmy Carter (D) in Atlanta, GA; Dwight Eisenhower (R) in Abilene, KS and Lyndon Johnson (D) in Austin, TX. Eager to find the funds and get to the rest of them. This blog will showcase some of the pictures and a writeup about each of them. In the meantime I would love to hear what's on your bucket list.
Discussing faith, business, personal finance, news (business and financial related), politics, and pretty much everything else.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Friday, October 4, 2013
Lifesize Barbara Jordon Statue (Airport)
Photo Coming Soon!!!
3600 Presidential Blvd (Austin-Bergstrom International Airport --- Baggage Claim level)The first, life sized statue of the late Barbara Jordan resides in the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Created by California artist Bruce Wolfe, the bronze sculpture depicts Jordan seated, in deep thought, with her finger tips pressed together; her glasses and a book placed in her lap.
The life-size sculpture is the first major, public piece in the country to honor Jordan and it is a landmark for all who visit the Barbara Jordan Terminal, named in her honor.
City of Austin Aviation Department officials unveiled the statue in November 2002.
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Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms
Recently the city of Austin held their annual Free Museum Day. This year the wife and I journeyed to Pioneer Farms, as it is known locally. Officially known as the Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms.
Inscription:
this historic site along Walnut Creek, at the edge of the famous blacklands prairie, originally was home to Native Tonkawa Indians. In the fall of 1844, Texas Ranger Lt. James O. Rice, an Original Austin settler, laid claim to 1,280 acres at the northward crossing of the creek - including the site of pioneer farms.
Eight years later, Frederick and Harriet Bachman Jourdan settled on a portion of that acreage with eight children, eventually amassing a 2,000-acre farm.
Outlaws and marauders menaced the first settlers, many of whom, like the Jourdans, migrated from eastern states. Beginning in the 1850s, immigrants from Germany amd other European countries settled in the areaand founded Dessau, Pfluggerville and other towns. After the Civil War, freedman farmed around the sprinkle community nearby. For a time in the 1870s, the Chisholm Trail traversed the area.
In 1956, the Jourdan grandchildren, Laura and Eugene Giles, donated the core of their ancestors' property to the heritage society of Austin for a park to honor early-day settlers. Dedicated in 1975, the museum now features an architecturally diverse collection of historic buildings, including some of the oldest extant in Texas. Most were moved here to prevent their demolition and ensure their preservation for future generations.
Erected:
1994 by Austin Landmarks
Handicapped Accessibility:
According to the staff and volunteers at the park generally all the buildings except one have ramps. However, the day we were there the ramps had been removed because a film crew was filming the soon to be released indie film "A Relative Stranger."
Location:
What do you think about this attraction?
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| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
Inscription:
this historic site along Walnut Creek, at the edge of the famous blacklands prairie, originally was home to Native Tonkawa Indians. In the fall of 1844, Texas Ranger Lt. James O. Rice, an Original Austin settler, laid claim to 1,280 acres at the northward crossing of the creek - including the site of pioneer farms.
Eight years later, Frederick and Harriet Bachman Jourdan settled on a portion of that acreage with eight children, eventually amassing a 2,000-acre farm.
Outlaws and marauders menaced the first settlers, many of whom, like the Jourdans, migrated from eastern states. Beginning in the 1850s, immigrants from Germany amd other European countries settled in the areaand founded Dessau, Pfluggerville and other towns. After the Civil War, freedman farmed around the sprinkle community nearby. For a time in the 1870s, the Chisholm Trail traversed the area.
In 1956, the Jourdan grandchildren, Laura and Eugene Giles, donated the core of their ancestors' property to the heritage society of Austin for a park to honor early-day settlers. Dedicated in 1975, the museum now features an architecturally diverse collection of historic buildings, including some of the oldest extant in Texas. Most were moved here to prevent their demolition and ensure their preservation for future generations.
 |
| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
Erected:
1994 by Austin Landmarks
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| Greg Valdespino plays the banjo on the porch at Pioneer Farm. photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
Handicapped Accessibility:
According to the staff and volunteers at the park generally all the buildings except one have ramps. However, the day we were there the ramps had been removed because a film crew was filming the soon to be released indie film "A Relative Stranger."
 |
| photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
What do you think about this attraction?
Monday, September 23, 2013
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.
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
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
Monday, September 9, 2013
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.
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| Texas State Historical Marker photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
Erected:
1969
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| 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.
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| Photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
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| Pat Surbaugh at Mt. Bonnell Photo by Kevin Surbaugh |
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| 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?
Friday, September 6, 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
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
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
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