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The West Point Society of Central TexasJoseph Bonnell Project 2010-2012

Stan BaconFred BothwellWPSCT

Honoring a Hero of the War for Texas Independence

Presented toThe Daughters of the Republic of Texas

January 23, 2012

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•West Point founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1802•The nation’s oldest engineering school•West Point Societies are comprised of graduates who

oFurther the ideals of the Military Academyo Perform community outreachoAssist with Academy admissions.

•Over 600 West Point graduates in the Austin area•WPSCT members adopted Mount Bonnell and began improvement projects in 2010

Contacts: Stan BaconWPSCT , Class of 1958 sbacon58@sbcglobal.net512-345-5964

Fred BothwellWPSCT, Class of 1962frebo3@yahoo.com512-635-4433

12/3/2011

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THE JOSEPH BONNEL PROJECTMOUNT BONNELL AT COVERT PARK

MOUNT BONNELL: WHAT’S IN A NAME?Who is it named for?Who named it?What proof exists?

MOUNT BONNELL: WHAT’S BEEN DONE?WPSCT adoptionView restorationClean upPARD events

MOUNT BONNELL: WHAT’S PLANNED?Marker replacement plansFacilities planFuture enhancements

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MOUNT BONNELL MARKER (1969)

“…NAMED FOR GEORGE W. BONNELL , WHO CAME TO TEXAS WITH OTHERS TO FIGHT FOR TEXAS INDEPENDENCE, 1836….”

“…COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS…”

“MOVED IN 1839 TO AUSTIN…”

“…PUBLISHED ‘TEXAS SENTINAL’, 1840”

“…TEXAS-SANTA FE EXPEDITION,1841 …CAPTURED BUT RELEASED…”

“…JOIN(ED) MIER EXPEDITION , 1842 …KILLED IN CAMP…”

Texas State Historical Survey Committee

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TSHSC Created in 1953: •To administer statewide program for historical preservation•Given more permanent status in 1957

Created RAMPS program in 1964: •Recording, Appreciation, Marking, Preservation, and Surveying of Texas history•One objective: Erect 5,000 Texas historical markers in five years. •5000th marker approved on October 27, 1969 Result:•~1,000 historical markers installed per year (~4/day) for five years!•Including Mount Bonnell Marker (1969)•Bonnell marker research in TSHSC Report #2755, May 15, 1969 (2 pages)

Texas State Historical Survey CommitteeHistorical Marker Project

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George Bonnell advocated extremely harsh, brutal, and vindictive policies towards tribal people, writing:

“...It is in their power to detect the offenders, and if they fail to do it, we should demand an equal number of their people for instant execution. ... Or we might demand and retain as hostages the children of some of the principal families.”

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“Some sources credit George Bonnell as the namesake for Mount Bonnell on the Colorado River and that Gen. Edward Burleson may have named the mountain in 1838, but other historians have also speculated that the Travis County landmark may have been named for army officer Joseph Bonnell by Albert Sidney Johnston.” The Handbook of Texas Online, 1/21/2011

CURRENT HANDBOOK ENTRY

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•In April 1840 the first mention of Mount Bonnell by name in print occurred in a book

• Topographical Description of Texas, to which is added an Account of the Indian Tribes

•Written by George Bonnell

Naming Mount Bonnell

“…above the city, on the east side of the river, is a high peak called Mount Bonnell” 

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THE JOSEPH BONNELL PROJECT – WHAT’S IN A NAME?

WHAT’S IN A NAME? - A CONTROVERSY! How did Mt Bonnell get its name? Who named it?

What proof exists? Considering the alternatives

SEEKING A CORRECTION: 2003-20122003: Application submitted to THC2004: Travis CHC recommends approval2005: Application denied by THC2011: WPSCT requests review of new applicationREQUEST FOR REVIEW DENIED WITHOUT HEARING

“Although the evidence is persuasive, we believe that it is equally possible that the mountain was named for George Bonnell….this matter is concluded….our agency can devote no more staff or commission time to this issue.” Mark Wolfe, Executive Director, August 22, 2011

SEEKING A HEARING: 2:00PM January 31, 2012, Judge Rhonda HurleyTravis County Courthouse, 1000 Guadalupe, Austin, in Room 512. 

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THE JOSEPH BONNEL PROJECTMOUNT BONNELL AT COVERT PARK

MOUNT BONNELL: WHAT’S IN A NAME?Who is it named for?Who named it?What proof exists?

MOUNT BONNELL: WHAT’S BEEN DONE?WPSCT adoptionView restorationClean upPARD events

MOUNT BONNELL: WHAT’S PLANNED?Marker replacement plansFacilities planFuture enhancements

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WEST POINT SOCIETY OF CENTRAL TEXAS“ADOPTED” COVERT PARK IN 2010

MOUNT BONNELL/COVERT PARK PROJECTS 2010-2011

•PARD Adopt-a-Park Agreement signed.•Supported Austin Oyster Urban Adventure Race.•Service Austin Days Fall Clean-up, 33 volunteers and 2 firefighters.•Used $1500 APF grant to restore views with PARD and community support •Raised funds for base of new kiosk in Covert Park•My Parks Day, APF, 23 volunteers.•Clean Sweep, KAB, 31 volunteers.•Supported Austin Oyster Urban Adventure Race.•Received KAB grant of $850 to apply to Kiosk Base payment.•Planned Clean-up w/Central Texas Mountaineers.•Service Austin Days Fall Clean-up.

MOUNT BONNELL WEB SITE MAINTAINED BY WEST POINT SOCIETYhttp://www.west-point.org/joseph_bonnell/mount_bonnell

12/3/2011

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PROJECT:RESTORE FABULOUS VIEWS

COVERT PARK MOUNT BONNELL

“FABULOUS VIEWS” RESTORATION

JANUARY 28-31, 2011

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

REPORTFred Bothwell

West Point Society of Central TexasFriends of Mount Bonnell

fred.bothwell@west-point.org(512) 635-4433

….and the Contractor, and the Friends of Mount Bonnell, and the neighbors, and the Neighborhood Associations, and other AOG members….

Project Management span of control….

RIVER VIEWS TO NORTH AND SOUTH FROM PERGOLA (SITE 1) AND OBSERVATION PLATFORM (SITE 3) WERE OBSCURED BY VEGETATION

RIVER VIEWS TO NORTH AND SOUTH FROM PERGOLA (SITE 1) AND NORTH VIEW FROM OBSERVATION PLATFORM (SITE 3) ARE NOW UNOBSTRUCTED.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE: FULL AUSTIN SKYLINE WAS ONLY VISIBLE FROM SITE 2 BY STANDING ON PICNIC TABLE. SKYLINE WAS INVISIBLE FROM PICNIC TABLE AT SITE 4

AFTER: PANORAMIC AUSTIN SKYLINE FROM TEXAS TOWER TO LADYBIRD LAKE NOW VISIBLE FROM SEATED POSITION AT BOTH TABLES

HUNDREDS OF CUBIC YARDS* OF VIEW OBSTRUCTING VEGETATION WERE CUT AND STACKED FOR

CHIPPING AND WINDROW FABRICATION

*ESTIMATED STACK SIZE: 10’ H X 5’ DEEP X 20 ‘ LONG

*SCOPE OF ORIGINAL CONCEPTUAL PLAN CONSTRAINED BY PARK BOUNDARY, CONSERVATION, AND PRESERVATION CONCERNS.FINAL SCOPE OF PROJECT DEFINED IN COOPERATION WITH AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, BALCONES CANYONLANDS PRESERVE, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES, FRIENDS OF MOUNT BONNELL, AND WEST POINT SOCIETY

ORIGINAL CONCEPTUAL PLANMAY 2010

FINAL TALLY

ACCOMPLISHED AS OF 2/01/2011: ~80% COVERAGE OF ORIGINAL PROPOSED SIGHTLINES INCLUDING 2 NEW PANORAMIC VIEWS OF AUSTIN SKYLINE *

BRACTED TWISTFLOWER

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WEST AUSTIN NEWS PROVIDES CONTINUING COVERAGE

“I’ve never seen this view before…”

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THE JOSEPH BONNEL PROJECTMOUNT BONNELL AT COVERT PARK

MOUNT BONNELL: WHAT’S IN A NAME?Who is it named for?Who named it?What proof exists?

MOUNT BONNELL: WHAT’S BEEN DONE?WPSCT adoptionView restorationClean upPARD events

MOUNT BONNELL: WHAT’S PLANNED?Marker replacement plansFacilities planFuture enhancements

1938 2010

Marker is no longer

vertical

2008 2010

Marker is disintegrating

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MARKER CONDITION:1938-2011Original Marker Reaches End of Life

10/19/2011 24

PROPOSED GRANITE REPLACEMENT MARKER

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The original historic artifact may be placed in a protected location….

THE STONE OF SCONE (1249 A.D.?)Original Stone in Westminster Abby

REPLICA STONE OF SCONEat original site at

Moot Hill, Scotland

REPLICA ROSETTA STONE at original site at

Rosetta (el-Rashid) Egypt

….AND A REPLICA INSTALLED AT THE ORIGINAL SITE 12/3/2011

1/10/2011

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PROPOSED RELOCATION OF RESTORED MARKER

Project Costs

PHASE ONE Expected Cost

Remove existing broken limestone Covert Park dedication marker

PARD

Old marker base demolition and removal,

PARD

New marker base installation 7,000Replacement marker and delivery to site and placement

21,000

PHASE ONE COST $28,000

PHASE TWO  

New limestone flatwork: 350 sf @ $50

17,500

(2) Decorative stars @ $500 1,000Limestone steps: 160 lf @ $80 12,800Limestone benches: 30 lf @ $80 2,400Handrails: 2 @ $500 1,000(4) Granite benches @ $500 2,000Landscaping, native plants, xeriscape 2,000

PHASE TWO COST $38,700PLANNED COSTS $66,700

CONTINGENCIES (10%) $6,670

TOTAL COST* $73,370

*PLUS $44,000+ in professional services and labor donated by O’Connell Robinson, KC Construction, and others

TOTAL PROJECT VALUE: $115,000+

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS

http://www.oconnellrobertson.com/

TEXAS STATE CEMETERY 9/11 MEMORIAL, AUSTIN

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•The Texas State Cemetery 9/11 monument is dedicated to all Texans who died during the September 11 terrorist attacks•Commissioned in 2002, numerous designs were submitted from artists, architects and private citizens from around the state.

•The final design by O’Connell, Robertson and Associates of Austin was chosen by the Governor’s Office and the Texas State Cemetery Committee.

2Q 2010: WPSCT “adopts” Mount Bonnell at Covert Park

3Q 2010: Begin discussion with Covert family re marker replacement, other improvements

4Q 2010: O’Connell Robertson marker and improvement plan review and approvalObtain APF grant for view restoration

1Q 2011: Submit PARD application for marker replacementAccomplish view restoration

3Q 2011: Request $50K APF/ACL grant for marker replacement and improvementsTotal value, $100+K Endorsed by HPWBANA and WANG

4Q 2011: Partial Grant approved by APFHistoric Landmark Appropriateness Committee finds plan unacceptablePARD withdraws support for improvements

Jan 2012:Mayor Leffingwell directs PARD and HLC to reconsider, enable improvementsPARD Director Hensley says marker is "contingent on design revisions.." and "...proposed landscape improvements (are) incompatible with the site, accessibility and maintenance considerations..."

MOUNT BONNELL PROJECT TIMELINE

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BONNELL PROJECT SUPPORT

Please help sustain the memory of his service to Texas and his recognition as a Hero of the War for Texas Independence

Donate a “Joseph Bonnell Story” DVD to your local Middle School

Extend our offer to speak to other DRT Chapters

Join our email list to stay informed of future Bonnell project progress

Attend the hearing next week in support of our request that the Texas Historical Commission give proper consideration to our application for a corrected marker on Mount Bonnell

Support our efforts to improve Mount Bonnell facilities.

Thank You

Fred BothwellStan BaconWPSCT

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MOUNT BONNELL•“The Best View in Austin”•One of the most popular parks in the city:•775 feet above sea level.

COVERT PARK•5.36 acre City park encompassing Mount Bonnell•Donated to Travis County for use as a public park in 1938-39 by Covert family of Austin•Deeded in memory of Frank M. Covert, Sr., byClarence Covert and F. M. Covert, Jr•Marker erected in 1938•Deeded to city of Austin in 1972•Adopted by West Point Society of Central Texas in 2010

12/3/2011

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“In our daily rides we found the country about Austin delightful…Indeed, there was one high hill, called Mount Brunnel, where we had picnics and enjoyed the fine view, far and near, taking one of the bands of the regular regiments from the North that joined us soon after our arrival…The band played the “Anvil Chorus,” and the sound descended through the valley grandly. The river, filled with sand-bars and ugly on close examination, looked like a silver ribbon. At that height, the ripened cotton, at certain seasons of the year, looked like fields of foam. The thermometer was over eighty before we left the lowlands; but at the altitude to which we climbed the air was cool.” Elizabeth B. Custer, Tenting on the Plains (1887)

In 1865-66 the crest of Mount Bonnell was a site for recreational social gatherings , picnics, and concerts~70 years later, 1936-38 the Covert family gave the site to the people for use as a public park. A limestone marker was installed to commemorate the gift ~70 years later, the limestone marker has disintegrated and the park has become a “nature preserve,” no longer planned for use as a recreational site

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ENDANGERED?From 42 seeds to 72,251…

IN A BEE CAVE BATHROOM!

The Bracted twistflower

November 29, 2011

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THE UNTIMELY RETREAT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON BONNELL

How George Bonnell’s bad judgment, poor timing, ignoring the advice of an experienced subordinate, and failure to execute a mission led to the deaths of innocent settlers in the Morgan Massacre January 1, 1839

Excerpted from the book “Savage Frontier, Volume II”By Stephen L. Moorehttp://tinyurl.com/26qwtqu

Page 92

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Excerpted from the book “Savage Frontier, Volume II” by Stephen L. Moore

THE UNTIMELY RETREAT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON BONNELL

In November, 1839, George Bonnell is named commander of a Militia battalion of two companies of volunteers. One of them, the “Milam Guards” is formed in Houston and led by Captain Joseph Daniels, an experienced officer.

Page 96

THE UNTIMELY RETREAT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON BONNELL

Excerpted from the book “Savage Frontier, Volume II” by Stephen L. Moore

Unsuccessful in his attempt to locate the enemy in the first few weeks of December, Daniels is ordered by Bonnell to stop his search for hostile Indians and return to Houston

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Pages 135 -136

Upon Daniels’ withdrawal from the field, settlers are attacked and massacred

Page 137-138

THE UNTIMELY RETREAT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON BONNELL

Excerpted from the book “Savage Frontier, Volume II” by Stephen L. Moore

Joseph Daniels blamesGeorge Bonnell’s “retreat” for the Morgan Massacre