Andrew Jackson Zilker (1858 - 1934)^[1] was a political figure and philanthropist in Austin, Texas, after whom Zilker Park was named. He was the last private owner of Barton Springs. 1858 (MDCCCLVIII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... A philanthropist is someone who devotes his/her time, money or effort towards helping others. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Live Music Capital of the World Location Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Government County Travis County Mayor Will Wynn Geographical characteristics Area 669. ... Official language(s) See: Languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 268,581 sq mi (695,622 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Zilker Metropolitan Park is a recreational area in western Austin, Texas (near Rollingwood), which comprises over 350 acres (1. ... The Barton Springs are four natural springs located on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. ...

Andrew Zilker was born in New Albany, Indiana. In his youth he'd read Henderson King Yoakum's two-volume History of Texas,^[2] and was inspired to head for its capital to make his fortune. In 1876, at the age of 18, he arrived in Austin with fifty cents in his pocket, immediately acquired work as a dishwasher, and doubled his money by shift's end. His next job would be on the construction of the Congress Avenue Bridge. But the real money to be made in the Texas heat, he discovered, was in the manufacture of ice, and he quickly climbed the ladder from new hire to foreman for one icemaker in a matter of months. He was quick to learn the value of business connections, joining Austin Lodge #201 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks shortly after its founding in 1891. New Albany is a city in Floyd County, Indiana, situated along the Ohio River opposite Louisville, Ky. ... Downtown Austin and the State Capitol as seen from the Congress Avenue Bridge over Town Lake Congress Avenue is the Main Street of Austin, Texas. ... Categories: Fraternal and Service Organizations ...

Soon he owned an ice plant of his own outright, and in 1901 began buying land between the Colorado River and Barton Creek. He had soon acquired 350 acres surrounding Barton Springs, including the Springs themselves from John Rabb, and used the land to pasture the horses and mules that pulled his ice wagons, and the clear, clean Barton Springs water to make the ice itself. There he also built a small concrete pool and amphitheater for members of his Elks Club organization at the site of one of the three springs. The Colorado River as it winds through the Austin area. ... Barton Creek is one of the tributaries that feeds the Texan Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country. ...

Zilker also found the time to be a volunteer fireman, Director of the First National Bank, Water and Light Commissioner, and served both as alderman from the old Tenth Ward and president of the Travis County School Board. He would own a variety of businesses, including a brickyard (perhaps to spite his rival neighbor, and brickmaker, Michael Butler^[3]), a wood and coal concern, the Austin electrical system, and the water supply systems in Llano and Taylor counties. He even became the first Coca-Cola bottler in Austin. Llano County (pronounced ) is a county located in the state of Texas. ... Taylor County is a county located in the state of Texas. ... The wave shape (known as the dynamic ribbon device) present on all Coca-Cola cans throughout the world derives from the contour of the original Coca-Cola bottles. ...

The year was 1917 when, in his role as head of the school board, he cut a curious deal giving Barton Springs, and, over the next seventeen years, the surrounding acres, to the Public Free Schools of Austin (i.e. the school district) to sell to the city, which in turn paid for a $100,000 school endowment with the proceeds. This trust fund still pays for what is known today as the school-to-work program. In 1950, nearly two decades after Zilker's death, the district opened Zilker Elementary in his honor. The acreage itself, of course, became Zilker Metropolitan Park.

He is also remembered for his disdain for Austin mayor A. P. Wooldridge, and for encouraging Tom Miller to enter municipal politics and run for mayor in 1933.^[4] Nicknamed "the Colonel", Zilker's contribution to Austin was quite substantial.

Notes

1. ^ Austin History Center (2001). Andrew Zilker. City of Austin. Retrieved on 1 August 2006.
2. ^ Full title: "History of Texas from Its First Settlement in 1685 to Its Annexation to the United States in 1846" (1855)
3. ^ Austin Experiences: Zilker Park. Retrieved on 1 August 2006. This website cites Pipkin, Turk, Marshall Frech (1993). Barton Springs Eternal. Austin, Texas: Softshoe Publishing, The Hill Country Foundation.
4. ^ Clark-Madison, Mike. "A Proprietary Love", Austin-American Statemen, 4 July 2003. Retrieved on 1 August 2006.