Barton Hills in Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Andrew Jackson Zilker
Photographed By Keith Peterson, November 25, 2007
1. Andrew Jackson Zilker Marker
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 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15335.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 30° 15.85′ N, 97° 46.255′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Barton Hills. Marker can be reached from William Barton Drive west of Andrew Zilker Road, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located in Zilker Park at the entrance to Barton Springs.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Barton Springs (here, next to this marker); Philosophers’ Rock (a few steps from this marker); Approximate Location of the Missions (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rocky Cliff (approx. ¼ mile away); Swedes of Texas (approx. 0.3 miles away); Swedish Log Cabin (approx. 0.4 miles away); Esperanza School Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old I.V. Davis Homestead (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.
Also see . . . Andrew Jackson Zilker. Wikipedia
Soon he owned an ice plant of his own outright, and in 1901 began buying land between the Colorado River and Barton Creek. He had soon acquired 350 acres (1.4 km²) surrounding Barton Springs, including the Springs themselves from John Rabb, and used the land to pasture the horses and mules that pulled his ice wagons, and the clear, clean Barton Springs water to make the ice itself. There he also built a small concrete pool and amphitheater for members of his Elks Club organization at the site of one of the three springs.(Submitted on August 29, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, August 29, 2022
2. The Andrew Jackson Zilker Marker is the marker on the left of the two markers
Photographed By Keith Peterson, November 25, 2007
3. Andrew Jackson Zilker Marker, on the left in the background
This view also includes the Philosophers' Rock statue of authors Bedichek, Dobie and Webb at Barton Springs.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,570 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 21, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. 2. submitted on August 29, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3. submitted on December 21, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
