Northwest Austin Landmarks

Northwest Austin Landmarks

Monday, 07 May 2007

1. Kiddie Acres

For a taste of the carnival in Northwest Austin, Kiddie Acres is a family-owned children’s amusement park offering miniature golf, pony rides and refreshments since 1979. Kiddie Acres is open year round, weather permitting.

Summer Hours: June - August

Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

4800 W. Howard Lane

Phone: 255-4131

Web site: kiddieacres.com

2. Pond Springs Cemetery

The oldest known grave belongs to Asenath Stewart, who died in 1862. The cemetery began as a cemetery for Pond Springs residents in the 1860s, but was not deeded as a cemetery until 1877. Grave markers range from the 1860s to 1990s.

• Located on Lake Creek Parkway between RM 620 and US 183

3. Arboretum Cows, Duck Pond and Time Capsule

The Cows at the Arboretum were sculpted by Harold Clayton and have resided here since the 1980s when the project was completed. Trammell Crow saw Clayton’s work and commissioned him to create the cows. There are three sets in Austin, Dallas and Milwaukee.

Just across from the Cows lies a capstone covering a time capsule. Retail tenants at the time donated items to be placed in it. It is believed to contain video clips of newscasts, a salt and pepper mill and a certificate of deposit drawn on Interfirst Bank to benefit AISD once it matures. No one is sure about the amount.

The duck pond is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Geese, ducks, fish and turtles can be spotted. A set of mute swans used to reside at the pond. The property is now managed by C.B. Richard Ellis.

4. Quarry Lake

Quarry Lake is now privately owned by the companies that surround it, including Pure Austin Fitness, but for years people have been cliff diving into the quarry from the steep sides. No one really knows for sure just how deep Quarry Lake is, but rumor says it could be as deep as 900 feet. The water in the quarry is cool due to a natural spring that feeds the lake.

4515 Seton Center Pkwy., Ste. 105

5. Pennybacker Bridge

The Pennybacker Bridge was designed by David McDonald and opened in 1982. The bridge is made of Korean-made steel, designed to rust to its current amber color. Also known as the Austin 360 bridge, Pennybacker is a unique structure in that no part of the bridge touches the water.

Located on Loop 360 just south of FM 2222

6. Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek

Alamo Drafthouse is an all-in-one package, providing dinner and a movie in one stop. This Austin original has now branched out with several Austin locations and is moving all over Texas. The theater is known for its special screenings and parties that celebrate the movies, and its unusually named pizzas including “Porky’s Pepperoni” and “The Godfather.”

13729 Research Blvd., Ste. 1500

7. North Police Station

The northeast, northwest and north-central command staff and district representatives are all stationed at this location, along with detectives and patrol officers for the area.

Call 311 for non-emergencies, but reports can be made and traffic tickets paid at this location.

12400 Lamplight Village Ave.

Information provided by C.B. Richard Ellis and Sandy Gottisman with Live Oak-Gottisman.