The document details the West Point Society of Central Texas (WPSCT) and their efforts to honor George W. Bonnell at Mount Bonnell through community projects from 2010-2012. It discusses the controversy surrounding the origin of the mountain's name, various restoration initiatives, and plans for a new marker to replace the deteriorating original. The report highlights the importance of preserving historical markers and landscaping for public enjoyment while acknowledging the challenges faced in gaining approval for changes to the site.

1. The West Point Society of Central Texas Joseph Bonnell Project 2010-2012 Stan Bacon Fred Bothwell WPSCT Honoring a Hero of the War for Texas Independence Presented to The Daughters of the Republic of Texas January 23, 2012

2. 12/3/2011 West Point founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1802 The nation’s oldest engineering school West Point Societies are comprised of graduates who Further the ideals of the Military Academy Perform community outreach Assist 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 Bacon WPSCT , Class of 1958 [email_address] 512-345-5964 Fred Bothwell WPSCT, Class of 1962 [email_address] 512-635-4433

3. 1/23/2012 THE JOSEPH BONNEL PROJECT MOUNT 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 adoption View restoration Clean up PARD events MOUNT BONNELL: WHAT’S PLANNED? Marker replacement plans Facilities plan Future enhancements

4. 1/23/2012 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

5. 1/23/2012 TSHSC Created in 1953: To administer statewide program for historical preservation Given more permanent status in 1957 Created RAMPS program in 1964: R ecording, A ppreciation, M arking, P reservation, and S urveying 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 Committee Historical Marker Project

6. 1/23/2012 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.”

7. 1/23/2012 “ 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

8. 1/23/2012 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”

9. 1/23/2012 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: 2003-2012 2003: Application submitted to THC 2004: Travis CHC recommends approval 2005: Application denied by THC 2011: WPSCT requests review of new application REQUEST 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 Hurley Travis County Courthouse, 1000 Guadalupe, Austin, in Room 512.

10. 1/23/2012 THE JOSEPH BONNEL PROJECT MOUNT 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 adoption View restoration Clean up PARD events MOUNT BONNELL: WHAT’S PLANNED? Marker replacement plans Facilities plan Future enhancements

11. 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 SOCIETY http://www.west-point.org/joseph_bonnell/mount_bonnell 12/3/2011

12. 2/09/2011 PROJECT: RESTORE FABULOUS VIEWS

13. COVERT PARK MOUNT BONNELL “ FABULOUS VIEWS” RESTORATION JANUARY 28-31, 2011 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS REPORT Fred Bothwell West Point Society of Central Texas Friends of Mount Bonnell [email_address] (512) 635-4433

14. … .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….

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. BRACTED TWISTFLOWER * 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 PLAN MAY 2010 FINAL TALLY ACCOMPLISHED AS OF 2/01/2011: ~80% COVERAGE OF ORIGINAL PROPOSED SIGHTLINES INCLUDING 2 NEW PANORAMIC VIEWS OF AUSTIN SKYLINE *

19. 2/09/2011 WEST AUSTIN NEWS PROVIDES CONTINUING COVERAGE “ I’ve never seen this view before…”

20. 1/23/2012 THE JOSEPH BONNEL PROJECT MOUNT 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 adoption View restoration Clean up PARD events MOUNT BONNELL: WHAT’S PLANNED? Marker replacement plans Facilities plan Future enhancements

21. 1938 2010 Marker is no longer vertical 2008 2010 Marker is disintegrating 1/10/2011 MARKER CONDITION:1938-2011 Original Marker Reaches End of Life

24. 10/19/2011 PROPOSED GRANITE REPLACEMENT MARKER

25. The original historic artifact may be placed in a protected location…. … .AND A REPLICA INSTALLED AT THE ORIGINAL SITE 12/3/2011 THE STONE OF SCONE (1249 A.D.?) Original Stone in Westminster Abby REPLICA STONE OF SCONE at original site at Moot Hill, Scotland REPLICA ROSETTA STONE at original site at Rosetta (el-Rashid) Egypt

26. 1/10/2011 PROPOSED RELOCATION OF RESTORED MARKER

30. TOTAL PROJECT VALUE: $115,000+ PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS 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 7,000 Replacement 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 1,000 Limestone steps: 160 lf @ $80 12,800 Limestone benches: 30 lf @ $80 2,400 Handrails: 2 @ $500 1,000 (4) Granite benches @ $500 2,000 Landscaping, native plants, xeriscape 2,000 PHASE TWO COST $38,700 PLANNED 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

32. http://www.oconnellrobertson.com/ TEXAS STATE CEMETERY 9/11 MEMORIAL, AUSTIN 1/10/2011 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.

34. 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 approval Obtain APF grant for view restoration 1Q 2011: Submit PARD application for marker replacement Accomplish view restoration 3Q 2011: Request $50K APF/ACL grant for marker replacement and improvements Total value, $100+K Endorsed by HPWBANA and WANG 4Q 2011: Partial Grant approved by APF Historic Landmark Appropriateness Committee finds plan unacceptable PARD withdraws support for improvements Jan 2012: Mayor Leffingwell directs PARD and HLC to reconsider, enable improvements PARD 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

35. 1/23/2012 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 Bothwell Stan Bacon WPSCT

36. 1/10/2011

37. 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., by Clarence 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

38. 12/3/2011 “ 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

39. 12/3/2011 ENDANGERED? From 42 seeds to 72,251… IN A BEE CAVE BATHROOM! The Bracted twistflower November 29, 2011 **** ****

40. 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. Moore http://tinyurl.com/26qwtqu

41. 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 92 ************* *************

42. 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 Upon Daniels’ withdrawal from the field, settlers are attacked and massacred Page 96 ************* Pages 135 -136

43. Page 137-138 THE UNTIMELY RETREAT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON BONNELL Excerpted from the book “Savage Frontier, Volume II” by Stephen L. Moore Joseph Daniels blames George Bonnell’s “retreat” for the Morgan Massacre