Juice Blog
Central Austin Real EstateArchive for January, 2012
Who put the ‘Barton’ in Barton Springs?
Barton Springs, Barton Hills, Barton Creek…who was this Barton guy? According to the City of Austin, in 1837, William “Uncle Billy” Barton, built his rustic cabin on a tract of land which included the springs. Since he owned several adjoining tracts, the area came to be known as the “Bartons”. He named the three springs after his daughters Parthenia, Eliza and Zenobia. The largest spring became known as the main spring at Barton Springs Pool. He, and subsequent owners of the property, recognized its value as a tourist attraction, and promoted it vigorously, thus leading to the swimming hole’s lasting popularity.
Just who was ‘Zilker’ and why is a park named after him?
Lately around the office we’ve been wondering who the people were that lend their names to the streets, parks and buildings around us. We decided to find out and let you all know.
First on the list, Zilker. Turns out Zilker (Andrew Jackson Zilker) came to Austin from Indiana in 1884 at age 18 with only $0.50 in his pocket. He got a job at an ice plant, which he eventually bought. He then became the first Coca-Cola Bottler in Austin. Shortly after Zilker bought the land that is now Zilker Park and Barton Springs in 1901, he built a small concrete pool and amphitheater for members of his Elks Club organization, at the site of one of the three springs, where people had gathered for centuries.
Between 1917 and 1934, A.J. Zilker donated his land along the south bank of the Colorado in stages, to the Public Free Schools of Austin on the condition that the city of Austin buy the tract from the public schools for inflated prices. School officials placed money from the sale in a trust fund for manual training for what is known today as the school-to-work-program.
Thanks Mr. Zilker for you generous donation. We think you’d be proud of what Zilker Park is today!
