Capitol Grounds Challenge

The Texas Capitol, completed in 1888, is surrounded by approximately 22 acres of land rich in natural beauty and history. The Capitol Grounds function as a public park in the heart of downtown Austin.

Directions: Use this guide as you explore the Capitol Grounds to learn about its history, natural surroundings and monuments. A map of the Capitol Grounds is provided in the back of this booklet.

#1. Start at the Capitol Visitors Center. Find the cornerstone on the northeast corner. This building originally housed the General Land Office. It was built over 30 years prior to the Capitol! The cornerstone of the building was laid on Saturday, August 30, 1856.

At the ceremony of the laying of the cornerstone, The State Gazette reported that the building, "…will command the South-East view of the Capitol, and contrast well with the Governor's Mansion on the opposite site." Could you see the Governor's Mansion from the steps of the Visitors Center?

In the box below, etch any part of the writing or carvings from the cornerstone.

#3. Look to your right and find the historical marker titled "Grotto and Lagoon." This area once looked like the photograph on the plaque. Can you imagine this area being filled with water?

What type of flowers and plants do you think might have lived in the grotto and lagoon? _______________________________________________________________

#4. Go to the top of the Capitol steps and find the black cannons. These artillery pieces were donated to the army of the Republic of Texas and were used in the Texas Revolution and the Civil War. Who was it that donated these cannons? _________________ _________________________ _________________________

#2. Follow the sidewalk west until you see the large monument with a series of statues on a Sunset Red granite base. This monument pays tribute to Tejanos, the early Spanish and Mexican pioneers who settled Texas.

How many animals are depicted on the monument? _________ How many have horns? ________

#5. Head south, along the Great Walk. A bronze statue of a boy decorates this spraying fountain along the east side of the Great Walk.

What animal is the boy holding?

______________________

#6. Move back to the Great Walk and go south towards 11th Street. Find the plaque that says "Capitol of 1852-53." This plaque marks the location of the steps leading up to the old limestone Capitol. This limestone structure was the second Capitol in Austin, but the first statehouse to be built on Capitol Square. It was also the first Capitol of Texas constructed of stone.

#7. Follow the Great Walk south then turn west. The newest monument on the Capitol Grounds is dedicated to African Americans who have shaped Texas. On this monument there is a depiction of this plant that served as a major cash crop in Texas.

Can you identify this plant?

______________________________

The 1850s limestone Capitol was completely destroyed by fire in 1881. A nationwide competition was held where contestants submitted designs for a new Capitol. In the box below, draw your own Capitol design.

Bonus: What kinds of animals are featured on the monument?

______________________________

#8. Walk northwest to the Cowboy Monument. To the right of the monument is the spiky shrub known as the Yucca. Yucca plants have adapted to several climates ranging from rocky desert to tropical forests. The creamy-white flowers bloom best in full sun, during mid-to late-summer, with some Yucca growing as tall as 10 feet high. How tall do you think this Yucca is? ____________ ____________

How did Cherokee Indians use roses?

___________________________________________________________

Bonus: Why would roses be effective in marking trails?

___________________________________________________________

#10. Move north around the Capitol and continue until you find the marker for the Tyler Rose. These roses are from Tyler--the “Rose Capitol of Texas.”

#9. Move north until you reach the Capitol drive then follow the sidewalk up the hill until you find the plaque that reads West Ground Lake. A small lake once occupied the large depression that still exists west of here and at one time was supplied by an underground spring in the area. Why was the lake drained 1926?___________________________

#11. Head east to a marker near the Capitol. The cistern located below this site is one of two underground brick reservoirs built on the north side of the Capitol. What did the cisterns hold? How was this use in the Capitol?

___________________________________________________

#12. Head north across the drive to the Vietnam Veterans Monument. Look for the Texas Sage surrounding the monument. This bush is often called the "barometer bush" because its bright purple flowers bloom when it is hot and humid.

Look at the silvery gray leaves. How do these leaves feel?

________________________

#13. Go to the northeast corner of the Capitol and find the large cornerstone. On March 2, 1885, the 49th anniversary of Texas Independence, this 16,000 pound cornerstone was laid in place.

The massive stone still contains the original zinc time capsule that has remained untouched since it was laid. The capsule contains, various kinds of deposits which had been received and arranged by former Governor Francis Lubbock. Maybe one day Texas will open the stone and display the contents within!

What would you place in a time capsule?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

#15. Walk west back to the Capitol Grounds. Find the cement block that sits on the walkway between the State Library and the east entrance to the Capitol. Why is this block here? ____________________

This block holds a U.S. Geodetic Survey marker, which mark key survey points on the Earth's surface. The Capitol Visitors Center once held the General Land Office, where land surveyors had their notes and measurements converted into maps.

When you return to the Visitors Center for your stamp, go up to the exhibits on the second floor to learn more about land surveyors of the General Land Office.

Place your paper over the marker and etch the marker in

the box below.

#14. Travel east to the State Library and Archives Building. Observe the six seals that are located on the doors, or the mosaic seals on the front of the building.

How many of the seals feature an animal or bird? __________

Can you list all of the animals featured in the seals?

________________________, ________________________,

________________________, ________________________.

Bonus: The seals represent the six sovereign nations that have governed Texas. Can you name all six?

________________,________________,_______________,________________,________________,_______________.

If you have time, go inside the Library Lobby. There is a beautiful mural depicting scenes from Texas history and a few exhibits on display.

Congratulations on finishing the Capitol Nature Challenge.

If the Capitol Visitors Center is open, take this booklet there and have it stamped. Or write the date and time of completion in the box below.

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