Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Walden Mill at Bull Creek

By Richard Denney

1. Walden Mill at Bull Creek Marker

Inscription. Before electricity, flowing water was a prime source of energy to run mills for sawing lumber and grinding grains. The Mormons are credited with construction, in 1846, of one of Travis County's first mills on Bull Creek. That mill was created after the one at the base of Mount Bonnell on the Colorado River washed away.

The Mormons were not the only ones to build mills on Bull Creek. The one shown here was likely built ca. 1850s by Hughell Walden, one of the early settlers to the Bull Creek Valley. This photograph was taken by H.B. Hillyer, Austin based photographer, variously dated at ca. 1869 or 1875.

Clementine Walden Jackson, granddaughter of Hughell Walden, says this mill was used as a lumber mill, shingle mill, and also for grinding corn. The home of Edward Zimmerman, built in 1861, now on the property of The Settlement Home for Children, is said to have been built with lumber from a mill on Bull Creek, quite possibly this one.

Erected 2017 by Bull Creek Foundation, Austin Parks & Recreation, Travis County Historical Commission, funding from Luci Thompson, Girl Scout Troop 812.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 30°

By Richard Denney

2. Walden Mill at Bull Creek Marker

Completed marker installation. Marker on right.

22.686′ N, 97° 46.802′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. Marker can be reached from Winding Ridge Boulevard 0.2 miles west of North Capital of Texas Highway (State Highway 360), on the right when traveling south. Marker is in the south parking lot of the Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7806 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin TX 78731, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Native Americans at Bull Creek (here, next to this marker); Balcones Fault Aids Colonization of Texas (approx. 0.8 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Austin (approx. 1.4 miles away); Old Quarry Site (approx. 3.1 miles away); Davis Cemetery (approx. 3.2 miles away); Jolly Cemetery (approx. 3.8 miles away); Austin Memorial Park Cemetery (approx. 3.9 miles away); Mount Bonnell (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.

By Richard Denney, October 1, 2017

3. Walden Mill at Bull Creek Marker

Marker being installed by members of the Bull Creek Foundation. Marker on right.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2017, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 407 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 3, 2017, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.