History of Brackenridge Park

Archaeologists have learned that this region has been visited by man for over 11,000 years. Later, the Spanish settlers in the region used this river to feed their ditches or acequias used for irrigation. One of these acequias, the Upper Labor acequia, can still be seen at the zoo.

This region remained largely uninhabited, though, until the mid-nineteenth century. After the Civil War, the local rock quarry enjoyed a booming business thanks to the discovery that its limestone could be used to manufacture cement.

In 1866, George W. Brackenridge came to San Antonio from Austin; he and his mother later began to purchase riverfront property. A few decades later, Brackenridge developed a waterworks system to supply the city with artesian spring water. Eventually, he donated nearly 200 acres to the city for use as a public park. Brackenridge park was born.

Development of the park began almost immediately. A zoological park was developed using old quarry walls and an old tannery site. Later, a public golf course was added, designed by A. W. Tillinghast of Philadelphia. This was the state's first public golf course.

In 1917, work began on the Japanese Tea Gardens, using the abandoned quarry. Prison laborers were used to produce the lush gardens and local residents donated the plants.

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