Downtown Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Artesian Well and East Drinking Fountain
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2013
1. Artesian Well and East Drinking Fountain Marker
The artesian well completed at this site in 1889 furnished an ample and inexpensive water supply for the new Capitol. At a depth of about 1,550 feet, natural pressure forced water from the Trinity aquifer to the surface. The powerful flow of water satisfied drinking, sanitary and fire protection needs for the Capitol. A coal-fired boiler converted the well water into steam, which turned the building's first electric generator, and circulated through radiators to warm the Capitol's interiors. The abundance of well water for irrigation made possible the first landscape improvements, including a lawn of sod and more than a 100 new trees. A cast-iron drinking fountain placed over the well in 1903, provided continuously running well water and metal drinking cups hanging from chains. Convinced that the mineralized water possessed medicinal value, visitors hauled it away in bottles for the next 73 years. In 1928, a granite water fountain replaced the cast-iron fixture. Officials closed the well in 1980 due to more stringent water quality standards. This reproduction fountain, installed in 1996, provides safe drinking water with a gentle step on the foot lever.
Erected by State of Texas.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Heroes of the Alamo (within shouting distance of this marker); Monuments of the Great Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); Cisterns (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); Grotto and Lagoon (within shouting distance of this marker); Hood’s Texas Brigade Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Terry’s Texas Rangers Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Terry Rangers Monument (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.
Also see . . . The Texas Capitol Grounds: A Self-Guided Tour.
(includes description of various monuments, memorials and landmarks around the Texas State Capitol grounds) (Submitted on January 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2013
2. East Drinking Fountain (near marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 857 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
