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

West Drinking Fountain

Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2022

1. West Drinking Fountain Marker

Inscription. Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds Charles Gilbert installed a drinking fountain at this site in the early 1900s. While excavating for a sidewalk near the 1889 artesian well and first drinking fountain, he found a second artesian well which previously had been capped off, and re-opened it to supply water for this second drinking fountain. The west fountain reportedly flowed cold water, while the east fountain flowed warm. Because no photographs of the west fountain were found to document its appearance, a circular bronze marker was installed in 1996 to mark the location.

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 1889.

Location. 30° 16.458′ N, 97° 44.461′ 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 in the southwest section of the Texas State Capitol grounds. 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Terry Rangers Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Terry’s Texas Rangers Monument (within shouting distance

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of this marker); The Great Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); Monuments of the Great Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); Spanish-American War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Heroes of the Alamo (within shouting distance of this marker); Cisterns (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans of the 36th Infantry Memorial (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.

The West Drinking Fountain Marker in front of the west side of the Texas State Capitol image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse

2. The West Drinking Fountain Marker in front of the west side of the Texas State Capitol

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.