AUSTIN, Texas, city, the capital, and county-seat of Travis County, situated on the Colorado River. It was settled in 1836, it was first called Waterloo, but in 1837, after the Texas Revolution, incorporated and renamed after Stephen F. Austin, the Father of Texas, and the county was named after William B. Travis who was killed at the Alamo. It was made the capital of the State in 1839 and has remained such since the admission of Texas to the United States. The first free school in the State was established here in 1871. Area is 16 square miles. Altitude ranges from 650 to 850 feet. It is 81 miles north-northeast of San Antonio by the International & G. N. Railroad, 166 miles west by north of Houston, and 205 miles northwest of Galveston by the same, and the Houston & Texas Central Rail road; and on the Austin and N. W. Railroad; and on the Missouri, K. & T. Railroad. The city is beautifully located, 60 feet above the river, which here flows through very attractive scenery, is navigable for small river steamers in the winter and is spanned by two inde structible bridges. An immense darn, 1,275 feet long, 67 feet above bed rock, the twelfth longest in the world, was completed in 1916, for water supply and power. This darn creates a lake 29 miles long, known as Lake Austin, which is a favorite resort for fishing, hunting and health-seeking parties. This lake was made famous by two international regattas. Stansbury of Australia won the championship of the world on this lake. There are in numerable mountain streams flowing into the lake from the surrounding hills and moun tains. The power house generates 6,000 horse power. Much work is being done to construct beautiful drives on both sides of the lake. There is an inexhaustible supply of the best mineral water to be found, analysis is identical to the water of Carlsbad. There are 115 factories in this city, both large and small. These produce lumber, iron goods, flour and leather goods. There are oil refineries,, com presses, candy factory, gins and other similar factories. There is a very large export trade in agricultural products and live stock, hides, wool, cotton and grain. Austin is also the
wholesale supply centre for a great district in provisions, dry goods, drugs, agricultural im plements, ranching supplies, etc. The ship ment of canned goods is increasing, very rapidly. One of the largest canneries in the South is located in Austin. From one to three carloads of products are shipped from this plant every day. Austin is the largest pro ducing and shipping point for spinach in the nation. The largest silk farm in America is located here. The city is well built with wide and well-shaded streets. There are about 18 miles of paved streets. Every section of the city is supplied with artificial gas, electric lights and pure water. The sewerage system is complete to every section of the city. There are 21 miles of street railway. The most prominent building is the capitol, which is the largest State building in the tInited States. It is built of granite and cost $3,500,000. Austin is the educational centre of the State with the State University and its many build ings, accommodating the literary, law, educa tional, extension and many other departments. There is also the Blind Institute, Deaf and Dumb Institute and the Insane Asylum. There are a number of other homes and schools such as the State Confederate Home, Saint Edward's College, Tillotson College for the Colored Pupils, Saint Mary's Academy, Texas Wesley an College, Presbyterian Theological Seminary, one business college and a number of other schools. There are two high' schools and 10 ward schools. The State land office and the county courthouse are prominent build ings. The post-office receipts in 1916 were $183,054.02. There are four banks and one trust company. The bank clearings for 1916 were $134,447,420.01. There are three hospi tals and eight hotels. Value of building per mits in 1916 was $1,845,099. Austin is the second city in the United States to have the commission form of government. The city owns its own waterworks and electric plant. Pop. (1916) 45,763.