Zilker, Austin, Texas
Encyclopedia
Zilker is a neighborhood in south central Austin, Texas
. It extends south of Lady Bird Lake, approximately bounded by Lamar Boulevard to the southeast/south, La Casa Drive to the south, Rabb Road and Robert E Lee Road to the west and Barton Springs Road to the north.
Directly northwest of Zilker is Barton Hills neighborhood, which connects back to Zilker Park via the Barton Creek Greenbelt.
deeded 35 acres (14.2 ha) surrounding Barton Springs
to the City of Austin. The first homes in the Zilker area were constructed in the late 1920s.
Much of the west end of Zilker was owned by Vincent Canizzo until the late 1940s when the City of Austin, using eminent domain
, forced him to sell the land on which Zilker Elementary currently sits. Shortly thereafter, the remaining land — from Ann Arbor Road to Rabb Road — was split into the Canizzo Subdivision.
and Flipnotics, a coffee shop and used clothing store, are popular locations for residents of South Austin. The Zilker Neighborhood is also home to many places that are familiar throughout Austin. The Tex-Mex
restaurant Chuy's
is very popular, and has opened many other locations all over Central Texas. Zilker Park
is best known for Barton Springs; the Zilker Tree and Trail of Lights; and music festivals such as Austin City Limits
and South by Southwest
.
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. It extends south of Lady Bird Lake, approximately bounded by Lamar Boulevard to the southeast/south, La Casa Drive to the south, Rabb Road and Robert E Lee Road to the west and Barton Springs Road to the north.
Directly northwest of Zilker is Barton Hills neighborhood, which connects back to Zilker Park via the Barton Creek Greenbelt.
History
In 1918, Andrew Jackson ZilkerAndrew Jackson Zilker
Andrew Jackson Zilker was a political figure and philanthropist in Austin, Texas, after whom Zilker Park was named. He was the last private owner of Barton Springs....
deeded 35 acres (14.2 ha) surrounding Barton Springs
Barton Springs
Barton Springs is a set of four natural water springs located on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin, Texas resulting from water flowing through the Edwards Aquifer. The largest spring, Main Barton Spring supplies water to Barton Springs Pool, a popular recreational destination in Austin...
to the City of Austin. The first homes in the Zilker area were constructed in the late 1920s.
Much of the west end of Zilker was owned by Vincent Canizzo until the late 1940s when the City of Austin, using eminent domain
Eminent domain
Eminent domain , compulsory purchase , resumption/compulsory acquisition , or expropriation is an action of the state to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent...
, forced him to sell the land on which Zilker Elementary currently sits. Shortly thereafter, the remaining land — from Ann Arbor Road to Rabb Road — was split into the Canizzo Subdivision.
Notable places
The Umlauf Sculpture GardenUmlauf Sculpture Garden
The Umlauf Sculpture Garden is a museum and outdoor sculpture garden centered around the artistic works of American sculptor Charles Umlauf. Located at 605 Robert E. Lee Road in the Zilker neighborhood of Austin, Texas, the garden is adjacent to Austin's Zilker Park.In 1985, Charles and Angeline...
and Flipnotics, a coffee shop and used clothing store, are popular locations for residents of South Austin. The Zilker Neighborhood is also home to many places that are familiar throughout Austin. The Tex-Mex
Tex-Mex cuisine
"Tex-Mex" is a term used to describe a regional American cuisine that blends food products available in the United States and the culinary creations of Mexican-Americans influenced by the cuisines of Mexico. The cuisine has spread from border states such as Texas and those in the Southwestern...
restaurant Chuy's
Chuy's
Chuy's is a Tex-Mex chain restaurant headquartered in Austin, Texas. The company has various locations in Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky, USA Chuy's is a Tex-Mex chain restaurant headquartered in Austin, Texas. The company has various locations in Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky,...
is very popular, and has opened many other locations all over Central Texas. Zilker Park
Zilker Park
Zilker Metropolitan Park is a recreational area in the heart of south Austin that comprises over of publicly owned land. It is named after its benefactor Andrew Jackson Zilker, who donated the land to the city in 1917. It was developed into the park during the Great Depression in the 1930s...
is best known for Barton Springs; the Zilker Tree and Trail of Lights; and music festivals such as Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits Music Festival
The Austin City Limits Music Festival is an annual three-day American music festival that takes place in Austin, Texas at the city's central public park, Zilker Park...
and South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
.