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

The Great Walk

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 6, 1998

1. The Great Walk Marker

Inscription.

The promenade leading from Congress Avenue to the Capitol’s south entrance is called the Great Walk. Completed in 1889, the Great Walk was considered one of the most significant features of the Capitol grounds, formalizing a connection with Austin’s most important street. In 1996, the 107-year-old Great Walk was removed due to its deteriorated condition, and replicated. The checkerboard-patterned concrete walk is 25 feet wide and 500 feet long, with rounded limestone curbs. The trees which flank the Great Walk were originally sycamores, although elms and live oaks were planted, and reproductions of the 1907 slat-style, steel park benches were installed. The existing light fixtures along the walk are original; they were installed in 1915 and restored in 1996.

Erected by State of Texas.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Landmarks. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 30° 16.438′ N, 97° 44.44′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. It can be reached from East 11th Street just north of Congress Avenue. The marker is on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol. 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

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are within walking distance of this marker: Monuments of the Great Walk (a few steps from this marker); Terry’s Texas Rangers Monument (a few steps from this marker); Terry Rangers Monument (a few steps from this marker); Heroes of the Alamo (a few steps from this marker); West Drinking Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Artesian Well and East Drinking Fountain (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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.

The Great Walk Marker Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry D. Moore, December 22, 2020

2. The Great Walk Marker Area

Great Walk-Texas State Capitol Building-south side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 6, 1998

3. Great Walk-Texas State Capitol Building-south side

Texas State Capitol Building-north side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 6, 1998

4. Texas State Capitol Building-north side

Texas State Capitol Building-close up of dome image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 6, 1998

5. Texas State Capitol Building-close up of dome

Heroes of the Alamo Monument on the State Capitol Grounds image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 6, 1998

6. Heroes of the Alamo Monument on the State Capitol Grounds

Volunteer Firemen Monument of the State Capitol Grounds image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 6, 1998

7. Volunteer Firemen Monument of the State Capitol Grounds

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,029 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 28, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on December 23, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 28, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.