Plus, four new restaurants are en route to ATX.
 
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Today’s Forecast

70º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.
 

🛟 The cool of the pool

A brief history of Austin’s beloved Barton Springs Pool
People swimming in Barton Springs Pool, with trees behind them framing the skyline.
Take a dip in Barton Springs Pool — it stays 68-70 degrees year-round. | Photo by @ginna_smith
Ah, Barton Springs Pool. A natural swimming pool to the average person, but to Austinites, a wonderful natural swimming pool.

We’re already dreaming of a hot summer day at Barton Springs, which has been a watering hole for humans for thousands of years. The pool served as a campsite for many Native American tribes long ago and continues to attract folks to this day.

Some fast facts about Barton Springs Pool:
  • Barton Springs Pool, made up of four springs, is fed 26 million gallons of water by the Edwards Aquifer every day and has an average temperature of 68-70 degrees.
  • The pool is a federally protected home to the endangered Barton Springs Salamander.
  • Incredibly popular with locals and tourists alike, Barton Springs Pool draws more than a million visitors per year.
A black and white photograph of swimmers in and around Barton Springs pool in the 1930s.

Barton Springs Pool has been enjoyed by locals for more than 100 years — like these Austinites in the 1930s.

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Photo via University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.

William “Uncle Billy” Barton purchased the land encompassing the pool in 1837, naming two of the springs after his daughters, Parthenia and Eliza. Whether or not Barton had the rights to purchase the pool is subject to debate.

The springs were popular with locals in the late 1800s, but didn’t fall under public ownership until 1918. The Barton Springs Pool that Austinites know today went under construction in the 1920s, when sidewalks and bath houses were built to create the “finest municipal resort in the entire southwest.”

In 1928, the pool was segregated along with much of the city. Barton Springs Pool was officially desegregated in 1962.

The flood of 1935 — one of the worst in Austin’s recorded history — washed away the bath house structures. A limestone building was erected in its place in 1946 and still stands today. The pool was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, then designated a City of Austin Historic Landmark in 1990.

In modern times, celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski have been photographed enjoying the cool of the pool. It’s safe to say Barton Springs Pool is one of Austin’s crown jewels.
Asked

What is the name of the tree that leaned over Barton Springs Pool until October 2023?
A. Barb
B. Jo
C. Flo
D. Willie
Test yourself
Events
Thursday, Jan. 18
  • PrintAustin Invitational Exhibition: Anthony Huang | Now-Sunday, Feb. 11 | Times vary | Link&Pin Gallery, 2235 E. 6th St., Ste.102, Austin | Free | Reflect on life’s contemporary challenges with this artist, who draws inspiration from Daoist philosophies.
  • “Queen Rock Montreal” | Now-Sunday, Jan. 21 | 6 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave., Austin | $10-$15 | Experience Queen like you’ve never seen before with this remastered show from 1981.
Friday, Jan. 19
  • Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo | Friday, Jan. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $10-$99 | This elegant all-male comic ballet company will stop in Austin on the 50th anniversary tour.
Saturday, Jan. 20
  • Elvis Costello & The Imposters | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $68-$325 | Don’t miss this legendary musician who has been performing live for 50+ years.
Sunday, Jan. 21
  • Hi, How Are You Day 2024 | Sunday, Jan. 21 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $39-$79 | Celebrate the life of artist Daniel Johnston at this annual concert in support of mental health.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Civic
  • CapMetro plans to create a transit police force starting in fiscal year 2024-2025. The department will hire 12 officers — likely from APD’s off-duty pool — to oversee CapMetro facilities and provide auxiliary event support during the first year. (KXAN)
Development
  • A new IKEA location is slated to open this summer in Austin — this time at The Domain. The new location will be much smaller than a traditional IKEA at ~5,000 sqft, offer interactive planning and ordering service, and serve as a pickup location. (Austin Business Journal)
Real Estate
  • The median home price in the Austin-Round Rock MSA decreased by ~10% in 2023, currently clocking in at $450,000, according to the Austin Board of Realtors. On average, homes are staying on the market for about 84 days and the area has about three months of inventory.
Opening
  • A new hospitality group, Lobos Hospitality, has three new restaurants in the works. First, breakfast-forward diner Toasty Badger will open on Friday, Jan. 26 on South Congress Avenue. Next, a Downtown cafe named Manny’s will open on West 5th Street with a cocktail lounge called Powder Room inside. (Eater Austin)
Event
  • This isn’t our first rodeo, but Rodeo Austin’s music lineup is here. Expect entertainment from Lukas Nelson, Wynonna Judd, Jake Owen, Flatland Cavalry, Ashley McBryde, and more to be announced.
Festival
  • Modern music not orchestral enough for you? Indie Orchestra will return to Austin on Thursday, Feb. 1, featuring Austin-based artists (think: Caleb de Casper, A Giant Dog, and Daniel Fears) backed with an orchestra. Tickets start at $25 and benefit the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.
Announced
  • After closing three restaurants in 2013, 2017, and 2018, Suzi’s Chinese will return to Austin. With a restaurant planned at 4805 Burnet Rd., Suzi’s will open inside the former Old Thousand II space sometime this month. (Austin American-Statesman)
Ranked
  • Austin is the second-best city in the US to play Cupid, according to a study by The Matchmaking Company. With tons of breweries and food trucks, a high singles populations, and dating hotspots, love is in the air in ATX.
Active
  • Is there a gym or fitness studio around town you’ve been wanting to check out? Get a free month of ClassPass + sample multiple gyms with just one membership.*
 
Drink

🍹 Dry your eyes

Take a sip of the SIMS Foundation’s Dry January Campaign
A can of Blackberry Clean Cause yerba mate on the left and an orange mocktail topped with a dehydrated lemon and mint on the right.
Honey Moon Spirit Lounge’s specialty mocktail, the Golden Child, will directly support the SIMS Foundation. | Photo courtesy Honey Moon Spirit Lounge
Dry January is more than halfway over. Whether you’re just trudging through or ready to make February dry as well, we’ve got the deal for you.

The SIMS Foundation — a nonprofit that works to destigmatize mental health and substance use issues — and 11 local venues have partnered to create the Dry January Mocktail Campaign. To participate, all you have to do is enjoy the featured mocktail at one of these venues:
  • Antone’s Nightclub
  • The Far Out Lounge & Stage
  • Sahara Lounge
  • Hole In The Wall
  • Yellow Jacket Social Club
  • Honey Moon Spirit Lounge
  • 04 Center
  • Meanwhile Brewing
  • Mohawk Austin
  • Donn’s Depot
  • Radio Coffee East
All proceeds will benefit services at the SIMS Foundation, including counseling, medical detoxification, intensive outpatient programs, recovery residences, medication assisted treatment, and residential treatment.
The Buy

The Buy 1.18.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Sleep mist, a cozy sweatshirt, or tea from Six & Main’s homebody collection. That’s right, there’s a collection specifically devoted to staying comfy and cozy at home (count us in).
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The Wrap
 
City Editor Figi poses with an adorable goat.

Today’s edition by:
Figi
From the editor
Personally, I was not surprised that 47% of y’all correctly guessed Kurt Cobain as the celebrity Daniel Johnston fan in our recent poll. The second-highest guess was Robin Williams at 37%.
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