Sited on the highest prospect in the park, The Zilker Clubhouse offers commanding views of Lady Bird Lake and the Austin skyline. It was built in 1934 as part of a larger CCC-era construction campaign in Zilker Park. Elsewhere in the park, there still exist picnic tables, benches, a dam (to create a pond) and a girl scout clubhouse—all from that same CCC-era campaign. The Clubhouse was designed by Charles Page in the historic rustic-style, and features limestone walls, flagstone floors, wagon wheel chandeliers and unique blacksmith detailing such as door handles, hinges and lanterns. The building and the surrounding 30 acres of land were initially used by the Boy Scouts for activities and scout meetings. More recently, it has become a popular venue for weddings, holiday parties and the like.
This project is to enhance and modernize functions of a beloved, historic, going-concern event venue. The work will include a substantial rehabilitation of the building and the significant addition of outdoor event amenities. Also included is Lookout Point, a CCC-era stone shade arbor, remotely located several hundred feet from the clubhouse on a beautiful view prospect. The intention is to restore and rehabilitate the structure and better connect it into the trail system in that part of the park.
The Clubhouse is a contributing structure of a National Register of Historic Places District.
