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Mount BonnellMount Bonnell is a prominent point in Austin, Texas. It has been a popular picknicking and tourist spot since the mid-1800s (C.E.). The mount provides a superb vista for viewing the attractive city of Austin and its surrounding hills. Although the mount is often described as the highest point in Austin, the elevation at its peak (about 780 feet) is less than that of the Jollyville Plateau (max. elevation about 1100 feet http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=14&n=3362409&e=610818&s=50&size=m&u=7&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25). Origin of Mount's Name It had been generally thought that Mount Bonnell was named after early Texas newspaper publisher, George W. Bonnell, who moved to Texas in 1836. George W. Bonnell was publisher of the local paper The Texas Sentinel and was prominent in early Texas and Travis County (Austin) affairs. In 2004, amateur historian Seldon Graham discovered historical evidence suggesting that Mount Bonnell might have been named for 1825 West Point graduate Joseph Bonnell. Graham uncovered evidence that Bonnell, due to the trust he had developed with the Caddo Native American tribe, convinced 1,700 warriors who had been incited by the Mexican army to attack Sam Houston's forces to turn back during the Texas Revolution. Sam Houston's army defeated the Mexican Army several days later at the Battle of San Jacinto. Officers that served with Bonnell in the U.S. Army came to Austin to defend the city from Native American attacks in 1839, and speculation is that they set up defences on Mount Bonnell and named the peak after their old friend. In 2004 the Travis County Historical Commission recommended that the Texas Historical Commission revise the plaque at Mount Bonnell to honor both Bonnells and the Texas Historical Commission announced it would review the changing of the plaque. Legend has it that Mt. Bonnell was once called Antoinette's Leap, named after a young woman who leaped to her death to avoid capture from Native Americans that killed her finance. Directions Mt Bonnell is located off FM 2222. Head West from Mopac on FM 2222 until you reach Mt. Bonnell Road and turn left. This road curves through several hills until you reach the parking lot on your right. Take the stairs from the parking lot to the vista. FM 2222 is also accessible from Loop 360, in which case one goes east and turns right on Mt. Bonnell Road.
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