National Register Listing

Wooldridge Park

Guadalupe St., Austin, TX
Wooldridge Park is unique as the only public square in Austin to have retained its original function since its establishment more than one hundred thirty years ago. When the first city plans were drawn in 1840, four such squares were included. The other three underwent various uses over time, hosting parking lots, a fire station, a church, a museum, and businesses. Wooldridge Park alone has remained an essential element of Austin's outdoor social, musical, and political life. Its bandstand, the only one extant of the three built in the oldest section of the city, is a fine example of the Classical Revival style employed for a small non-residential structure.

The city planner in 1840 was Judge Edwin Waller, appointed for that purpose by the President of the Texas Republic Mirabeau B. Lamar. The area he laid out was bounded by what are now Town Lake and Martin Luther King Blvd., and Waller and Shoal Creeks. He set aside four public squares in each of the four quadrants of the city, of which Wooldridge Park is the northwesterly one. The southwest square was recently reclaimed from a parking lot as Republic Square. However, unnaturally high earth berms and frail vegetation betray its former existence. The other two squares are occupied by structures.

From 1840 until 1900 the park's slopes enclosed a wet weather lake, fed by a seasonal spring, which was four feet deep, fifty feet wide, and three hundred feet long when full. In 1900 an 18 inch culvert was installed to keep the area permanently drained. Following this improvement, the park was neglected for several years. Then in 1909, Mayor Wooldridge caused the park to be reclaimed, preserving trees, hauling in landfill and sod, landscaping, and building the bandstand, spanning the shallow gully formed by the spring fed brook. In 1917 the sidewalk was added.

The Wooldridge Park bandstand is situated in the middle of a city block designated as a park, unlike the other two, no longer in situ. One was in the boulevard of old East Avenue, now Interstate 35, on the north end, in the 1800 block; the other was on the south end of the same street between First and Willow. The north bandstand was similar in plan to the one in Wooldridge Park, but more elaborate in detail. The south bandstand was gazebo-like, hexagonal in plan.

The man who realized the square's intended use. Mayor Wooldridge, was prominent in many local and state affairs, such as bringing in the Austin and Northwestern Railroad, building the first Colorado River dam in the city, building the artificial moonlight towers, and founding the Austin public school system. He served as mayor from 1909 to 1919.

Many Texas politicians and almost all of Texas' governors used the Wooldridge Park bandstand for public addresses. The list of speakers includes President Lyndon Johnson, Governors Allan Shivers, Pat Neff, Dan Moody, Jimmy Allred, Jim Ferguson, and W. Lee 0'Daniel. The current Austin mayor, Carole McClellan, chose this site for her inaugural ceremonies. The bandstand is also used as a "playscape" and as a stage for performing arts presentations, such as Sunday concerts. The park's location, between the main public library and the county courthouse, make it a favorite spot for conversation, poetry readings, studying, and small weddings.
Local significance of the structure:
Community Planning And Development; Landscape Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

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.

Texas was once an independent country: After winning its independence from Mexico in 1836, Texas became its own country, known as the Republic of Texas. It existed as an independent nation for nine years before being annexed by the United States in 1845.
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.