National Register Listing

Fiesta Gardens

2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., Austin, TX

Fiesta Gardens is a historically significant site in Austin, Texas that was originally built as an event and entertainment complex in 1966. The site is significant in the areas of Community Planning and Development, Social History, and Entertainment and Recreation.

Opened in 1966, Fiesta Gardens in Austin, Texas, is a faux Mexican-themed event and entertainment complex in Central East Austin on the northeast shore of Lady Bird Lake. Designed by architect William C. Holmans, Fiesta Gardens was constructed by Austin Aquatic Gardens, a syndicate funded by the Perkins Group, a coalition of local and regional investors led by businessman and Austin Chamber of Commerce staffer, Tom Perkins, and Ed St. John, former Austin Chamber of Commerce President and Austin Aqua Festival Commodore.6Conceived in 1960 as an inter-regional tourist attraction on par with Alabama’s Bellingrath Gardens and Florida’s Cypress Gardens, both of which featured show-skiing entertainment,Fiesta Gardens opened to the public in May of 1966 after hosting the annual Texas Medical Association convention that April.7The functionally related complex consisted of several principal buildings, a meticulously designed botanical landscape of tropical, flowering, and native vegetation; fountains;a man-made lagoon and accompanying25-seat excursion boat dubbed the “Chaparral;”a hiking trail with scenic overlooks; and a spectator stand overlooking the lagoon.8As a private venture operating on public land, the project was controversial from the start. Nor was Fiesta Gardens as profitable as bullish Perkins Group forecasts had initially predicted, leading the City of Austin to purchase the Perkins Group lease in December 1967 after a City Council vote to recapture the site for public benefit. Despite its unprofitability, Fiesta Gardens served as a popular water-based entertainment, event, and shopping center for tourists from the time of its opening, catering to Anglo visitors in the early days and later expanding, under the city’s ownership, to serve as home base for the city’s annual Austin Aqua Festival, Austin Boat Club races, and other civic and community events.10The complex has been in continuous operation since 1966, and while it no longer serves as a tourist venue, it is still utilized as an event space, hosting large music festivals as well as smaller community-based events.

The Fiesta Gardens district is nominated to the National Register under Criterion A (local level) in the areas of Community Planning and Development, Social History, and Entertainment and Recreation.With respect to Community Planning and Development, the Fiesta Gardens project was pivotal in shaping the development of the northern shore of the then newly created Lady Bird Lake (known contemporaneously as Town Lake) east of Interstate Highway 35, beginning with the construction of the Longhorn Dam in 1960.11Fiesta Gardens is also significant in the context of the city’s community planning and development history as a (failed) public-private venture experiment and the first Austin City Council’s public site repurchase (in 1967) involving development on Lady Bird Lake.Fiesta Gardens is further significant in the context of Social History and Entertainment and Recreation as an “exotic” entertainment venue and tourist attraction that, though based in a Mexican-American residential enclave, catered primarily to Anglo patrons during the Civil Rights era, with a design and programming that relied on only vague references to (as well as outright stereotypes of) authentic Mexican culture.
Local significance of the district:
Community Planning And Development; Entertainment/recreation; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2019.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

community planning and development entertainment recreation social history
The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, is one of the largest universities in the United States and has produced many notable alumni, including several U.S. presidents.
Texas random facts
Travis County, Texas, is located in the central part of the state and encompasses the capital city of Austin. The county has a rich history that spans centuries, beginning with the indigenous Native American tribes who inhabited the area long before European settlement.

European exploration of the region began in the 17th century when Spanish explorers ventured into what is now Travis County. However, it was not until the early 19th century that permanent settlements were established. In 1835, the area became part of the Republic of Texas after gaining independence from Mexico, and the county was officially created in 1840.

Travis County was named after William Barret Travis, a Texas Revolution hero who commanded the Texan forces during the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. Throughout the 19th century, the county experienced significant growth and development, driven by factors such as the arrival of immigrants, the expansion of the railroad, and the establishment of institutions like the University of Texas at Austin in 1883.

During the 20th century, Travis County continued to evolve and modernize. Austin, the county seat and state capital, grew into a vibrant and culturally diverse city, known for its live music scene, technological innovations, and progressive policies. The county became a center for government, education, and business, attracting a wide range of industries and residents.

Today, Travis County is one of the most populous and economically vibrant counties in Texas. It is home to a diverse population and a wide range of cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities. The county's history, coupled with its present-day dynamism, contributes to its unique character and makes it a significant region in the Lone Star State.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Travis County, Texas.

  • Pre-19th Century: The area that would become Travis County was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Tonkawa and Lipan Apache.

  • 1691: Spanish explorers, including Domingo Terán de los Ríos and Alonso de León, explored the region.

  • 1835: Texas Revolution against Mexico begins, and the area becomes part of the Republic of Texas.

  • 1839: Waterloo, a small village settled near the Colorado River, is selected as the site for the new capital of the Republic of Texas.

  • 1840: Travis County is officially established and named after William Barret Travis, a hero of the Texas Revolution.

  • 1842: The capital is officially named Austin after Stephen F. Austin, "The Father of Texas."

  • 1871: The Houston and Texas Central Railway reaches Austin, facilitating transportation and spurring growth.

  • 1883: The University of Texas at Austin is founded.

  • 1891: The Texas State Capitol building, an iconic landmark, is completed.

  • 1930s-1940s: The construction of dams, including Mansfield Dam and Tom Miller Dam, on the Colorado River provides flood control and creates Lake Travis and Lake Austin, respectively.

  • 1970s-1990s: Austin experiences significant growth and becomes known for its live music scene, technology industry, and progressive culture.

  • 2000s-Present: Travis County continues to grow in population and economic significance, with Austin being recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.