This cache was placed to point out an unusual building in West-Central Austin. The cache only has room for very small items.
Please be discreet and keep an eye out for muggles.
Here is a little history on the building:
The Texas Military Institute started out as the Bastrop Military Institute in the 1850's. Bastrop lies about 40-50 miles east of Austin. The school ceased operations during the Civil War. After the war, the occupying Union commander initially denied a request to resume classes. However, in 1868 General Sheridan allowed the school to reopen in Bastrop. Administrators quickly realized the Bastrop facilities were inadequate. Austin then raised a $10,000 building fund (in gold!) and enticed TMI to relocate. The castellated building was constructed in 1870 on a bluff overlooking Shoal Creek, the original western boundary of the city. Original plans called for an enclosed square with towers at each corner. However, only two of the planned towers were built. In 1879 the state established Texas A&M as a military-style school and hired TMI's president and entire faculty, forcing the private school's closure. The building was used by Bickler's Academy between 1884-1887. Thereafter it was a private residence for several decades. The south end of the building (including one of the towers) was removed sometime after 1887. In 2001 developer Gary Bradley bought the castle for his office. Bradley had developed Circle C Ranch in southwest Austin which led directly to a local ordinance aimed at preserving water quality in the underlying aquifer and Barton Creek. In response, Bradley's cronies in the state legislature passed a law forbidding cities to make such ordinances, and Austin's law was struck down. Well, that has nothing to do with the castle but it has made for hot politics (and dirty water) in Austin. Currently it is an office building in a residential neighborhood. The area is still known as Castle Hill, now also the name of a popular local restaurant. Most Austinites, however, do not know the origin of the name.
There is another nice castle/home located at N30 17.525, W097 45.288 that is easily visible from your car if you care to check it out, but I wasn't able to find a suitable location to place a cache there.
You might also want to check out the graffiti park down below.
 Kid Friendly  Lunchtime Cache  Beware of Muggles!  Park n Grab |
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