Editing Barton Springs Pool (section)

== History ==
Native American [[Coahuiltecan]] descendants include Barton Springs among the four springs part of their creation story dating to prehistoric times; these springs are Comal Springs, Barton Springs, San Marcos Springs and San Antonio Springs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spirit Waters |url=https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Parks/ANSC/2020%20Spirit%20Waters%20Booklet%20hyperlinked%20table%20of%20contents%205.27.2020.pdf |url-status=live |agency=Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Austin, Texas}}</ref>

Spanish explorers discovered the springs in the 17th century, and around 1730 erected temporary missions at the site (later moving to [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]]).<ref>Texas Historic Commission marker: Approximate Location of the Missions. Erected by the State of Texas 1936. Texas Historic Commission marker number 14883. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=165374</ref>

In 1837, before the incorporation of the city of Austin, the area was settled by William ("Uncle Billy") Barton, who named three springs after his daughters: Parthenia, Eliza, and Zenobia.  He and subsequent owners of the property recognized its value as a tourist attraction, and promoted it vigorously, thus leading to the swimming hole's lasting popularity.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

The last private owner of the property, [[Andrew Jackson Zilker]], deeded it to Austin in 1918. During the 1920s, the city undertook a construction project to create a larger swimming area by damming the springs and building sidewalks.  The bathhouse was designed in 1947 by Dan Driscoll, who also designed the bathhouse at [[Deep Eddy Pool]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2023|reason=A number of facts are given covering the years 1918 through 1947. A citation or citation(s) would be useful to allow the reader to verify and do additional research.}}

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