AN ANTIQUE MAP, "Austin and Surrounding Properties," AUSTIN, CIRCA 1899, lithograph on paper with hand color and manuscript, "Austin, Texas March 1891. An original compilation from public records, actual surveys, and engineer's records collected by us during the past 16 years. Showing position and advantages of many additions existing and projected near the City, the Dam and Lake; the seat of present activity and the mountain heights[sic] soon to be crowned with residences and hotels for the traveler intent on health or pleasure. Thanks are proffered for aid derived from...John F. Pope & Reuben Ford...," published by "Bergen Daniel & Gracy, Abstract of Title Office 105 E. 6th Street," a hand written manuscript legend at center left in red, "Wm. Walsh Tract," and an alternating color, "R.R. as water exists in time proposed," the tract for William Walsh's 100 acres subdivided into 66 and 33 1/3 acres to accomodate a proposed extension of the Austin Dam and Suburban Railway; again in red the rail path from the damn into downtown ends with hand drawn dash marks running north from 4th street up Congress Ave., taking a right on 11th street and then north up San Jacinto; the marks proposed extending a rail service to run conveniently north and south past the Capitol Building; in the upper left an inset view of, "The Austin Dam for Water, Light and Power. 1200 feet long, 60 feet high, 14,000 horsepower," other pencil inscriptions outline land belonging to "R.M. Hall et al.," and "Stalks," in plot 27, and north of the Capitol, "Texas University" appears with a footprint of the historic "Main Building," which officially established the University of Texas. 35 1/2" x 30 1/2" Note: "The Austin Dam and Suburban Railroad was chartered on July 16, 1895, and purchased the line from the city of Austin for $43,500. The railroad was electrified and operated as a streetcar line through Austin to a pleasure park near the dam. In the spring of 1899 an additional 1.5 miles of track was constructed. After the destruction of Austin Dam by a flood in April 1900, the railroad ceased operations until May 1904...William C. Walsh(1836-1924), Civil War Officer and Texas Land Commissioner...Walsh directed the first survey of one million acres of land granted to the University of Texas under the 1876 constitution...Walsh also served on the board of public works for the construction of the Austin dam." Special thanks to the Texas State Historical Association. Nicole Elber writes in a blog published by The University of Texas at Austin, "The School of Biology lived in the basement of the Old Main Building, also known as The Parthenon of the University’s Acropolis from its very beginnings in 1891 until 1899. The West Wing was completed in 1884 and the East Wing in 1899, at a cost of around $250,000. Before the completion of the building, classes were held in the State Capitol." Provenance: Property from a Corporate Collection, Houston, Texas. Property from a Corporate Collection, Houston, Texas