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

Capitol Grounds Design

Photographed By James Hulse, August 30, 2022

1. Capitol Grounds Design Marker

Inscription. Soon after completion of the Capitol in May 1888, the Capitol Board hired prominent Dallas civil engineer, William Munro Johnson, to design the landscaping of the grounds. His plan called for symmetrical, but curving, stone-edged carriage drives. An allée flanking a black-and-white diamond-patterned south walk was centered in a large oval. Sloping lawns, variegated tree and shrubbery plantings, and a decorative iron fence on a stone base completed his design. No copy of the map detailing Johnson's plan has survived. However, a 1900 University of Texas thesis included a map of the grounds as they existed at that time, documenting the implementation of Johnson's basic scheme.

Erected by State of Texas.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1888.

Location. 30° 16.384′ N, 97° 44.461′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Congress Avenue and East 11th Street. The marker is located on the southern entrance to the Texas Capital grounds along the 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Capitol Fence (a few steps from this marker); Texas State Capitol

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(a few steps from this marker); Southern Confederacy Monument (a few steps from this marker); Site of Second Travis County Courthouse and Walton Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor James Edward Ferguson August 31, 1871 -September 21, 1944 (within shouting distance of this marker); Cannons and Fountains (within shouting distance of this marker); Capitol of 1852-53 (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Achievements (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.

Also see . . . Texas State Capitol. Wikipedia

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
Photographed By James Hulse, August 30, 2022

2. Capitol Grounds Design Marker
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.)

The Capitol Grounds Design Marker along the Great Walk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, August 30, 2022

3. The Capitol Grounds Design Marker along the Great Walk

Texas State Capitol image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, August 30, 2022

4. Texas State Capitol

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.