Downtown Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Cannons and Fountains
Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2022
1. Cannons and Fountains Marker
Inscription.
Cannons and Fountains. . By the early 20th century, five cannons and two spraying fountains had been installed near the Great Walk. (1)Two, 24-pounder, howitzer cannons presented by Major General Thomas Jefferson Chambers to the Republic of Texas in 1836 were placed at the Capitol's south entrance. (2)Two, 12-pounder, light field guns were displayed on the south lawn. Cast in bronze in 1864, they probably were acquired "to maintain order" by Reconstruction Texas Governor Edmund J. Davis. (3)The fifth cannon is made of wrought iron and dates to 1865. All of the cannons are original, but their wooden carriages have not survived. The cannon carriages on the south lawn were reproduced in metal for durability. (4)Two elaborate cast iron fountains manufactured by J.W. Fiske of New York were placed in oval pools near the midpoint of the Great Walk in 1904. By the 1940s, the fountains had been removed and the pools converted into flower beds. In 1996, reproduction fountains were installed in reconstructed pools to replicate the original scheme.
By the early 20th century, five cannons and two spraying fountains had been installed near the Great Walk. (1)Two, 24-pounder, howitzer cannons presented by Major General Thomas Jefferson Chambers to the Republic of Texas in 1836 were placed at the Capitol's south entrance. (2)Two, 12-pounder, light field guns were displayed on the south lawn. Cast in bronze in 1864, they probably were acquired "to maintain order" by Reconstruction Texas Governor Edmund J. Davis. (3)The fifth cannon is made of wrought iron and dates to 1865. All of the cannons are original, but their wooden carriages have not survived. The cannon carriages on the south lawn were reproduced in metal for durability. (4)Two elaborate cast iron fountains manufactured by J.W. Fiske of New York were placed in oval pools near the midpoint of the Great Walk in 1904. By the 1940s, the fountains had been removed and the pools converted into flower beds. In 1996, reproduction fountains were installed in reconstructed pools to replicate the original scheme.
Erected by State of Texas.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 30° 16.409′ N,
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97° 44.451′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. It can be reached from the intersection of Congress Avenue and East 11th Street. The marker is located on the southern section of the Texas Capital grounds along the entrance walkway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin TX 78701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Texas. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
The Texas State Capitol is the capitol and seat of government of the American state of Texas. Located in downtown Austin, Texas, the structure houses the offices and chambers of the Texas Legislature and of the Governor of Texas. Designed in 1881 by architect Elijah E. Myers, it was constructed from 1882 to 1888 under the direction of civil engineer Reuben Lindsay Walker. A $75 million underground extension was completed in 1993. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
(Submitted on September 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2022
3. The Cannons and Fountains in front of the Texas State Capitol
Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2022
4. Cannon at the south entrance to Texas State Capitol
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 670 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
