A look at Lizard Ditch Skate Park. One of Austin’s lesser known skate parks.

Lizard Ditch Skate Park is one of Austin’s lesser known skate parks tucked away in the corner of the Silverstone neighborhood of Southeast Austin. This news article will expose some totally awesome info behind this skatepark.

Lizard Ditch Skate Park is a longtime Austin skate spot with a 3' foot deep ditch that waterfalls into a 7' foot deep ditch with a spine. This skate park has appeared in several national skate magazines and videos. (Ref: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1n1e3sVYGDcy36DFoBiY87-y01Ec&hl=en_US&ll=30.181738871514685%2C-97.74756047406055&z=15)

Although people who are local residents say that Lizard Ditch Skate Park is not an official park, the property Lizard Ditch Skate Park is located is owned by City of Austin and has been since the year of 2015 when Virginia P Raleigh sold her property to City of Austin on a special warranty deed. City of Austin came through a while back and cleared all of the transition and ledges that were in the ditch because it effects how the ditch is able to operate. However the City of Austin didn’t demolish or modify any of the quarter pipes built out of the ditch and curbs. (Ref: https://stage.travis.prodigycad.com/property-detail/555734/2022)

However some local residents of the Silverstone area are unhappy with this skate park. They say Lizard Ditch Skate Park is an illegal skate park built in a watershed drainage area. Multiple cars show up every day with about 15-30 people sometimes. They dump trash and mattresses on a regular basis. However they cannot do anything about those problems since the City of Austin owns the property. (Ref: http://austin.spotreporters.com/reports/20-00470860)

The ditches are the coolest part of the skate park. The ditches are tucked back in a large field surrounded by trees. These trees can provide shade in the summertime when hot weather comes around. 

 

Lizard Ditch Skate Park is located at 5106 Canella Drive, Austin, Texas, US 78744.

Exploring the history of Rice Road Bridge. One of San Antonio’s forgotten bridges.

Rice Road Bridge is one of San Antonio’s forgotten bridges that has been forgotten and sits unused in the Wheatley Heights neighborhood on the East Side. The bridge sits hidden away with overgrown vegetation in the Salado Creek Greenway and will remain so. This news article will explain the history behind the old Rice Road Bridge. Not the current Rice Road Bridge.

The origins of Rice Road Bridge dates back to 1898 when Emil Koehler & Emma C Koehler owned the land in what is currently Wheatley Heights. Possibly even earlier. F Street was the first name used for Rice Road before Rice Road was Rice Road. So Rice Road Bridge was F Street Bridge at first. (Ref: Bexar County Plats, Volume 2805, Page 36)

 

In the 1950s, Rice Road was more of a rural road with an open ditch that ran alongside the street. There was a bridge over Salado Creek called Rice Road Bridge. Mary Kopecki, a 50 year resident of the Eastern Triangle says, “Salado Creek flows through the Eastern Triangle area and the bridge on Rice Road was barely above the flowing creek.” (Ref: https://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/Planning/NPUD/Complete_FINAL_web_20090521.pdf)

The old Rice Road Bridge was prone to constant flooding as the bridge was located in a 100-year floodplain along with Salado Creek itself. Rice Road Bridge would be flooded more than 200 times a year sometimes. The streets were not paved.

In 1968, Rev. R. A. Callies Sr. appeared before City Council to request traffic lights and sidewalks in the Wheatley Heights area and a new bridge over the Salado Creek at Rice Road. Mayor W. W. McAllister added a committee would be named to study needs throughout the city and a public hearing would be held. The population of the Wheatley Heights community and neighborhood was predominantly black at the time. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/65679402/)

“Rev. R. A. Callies Sr. appeared before the council to again request traffic lights and sidewalks in the Wheatley Heights area and a bridge over the Salado Creek at Rice Road. Councilman S. H. James told Rev. Callies the city is considering a bond issue this fall, and Mayor W. W. McAllister added a committee would be named to study needs throughout the city and a public hearing will be held.”

A petition soon began to circulate over construction of a bridge over Salado Crock at Rice Road and widening of sidewalks. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/60350283/)

"In a second petition, the committee cited the need for traffic lights, construction of a bridge over Salado Crock at Rice Road and widening of sidewalks."

Reverend R. A. Callies had the petition signed by 500 persons. He told City Council that sidewalks in the area are narrow and uneven and that school children must walk single file to go to school. He also noted the Salado Creek could cause a disaster when it floods in the area. He asked that a ramp that spanned the creek on Rice Road be replaced with a bridge. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/65674937/)

“Rev. Callies told the city council sidewalks in the area are narrow and uneven and that school children must walk single file to go to school. He also noted the Salado Creek could cause a disaster when it floods in the area. He asked that a ramp which now spans the creek on Rice Road be replaced with a bridge. He noted the ramp is used by children attending three schools nearby. He showed slides of many of the areas needing improvements.”

The old Rice Road had seen better days by 1976. Reverend R. A. Callies went to the City Council and asked for several improvements which included a bridge to be built over Salado Creek and Rice Road to make travel possible during high water uprisings. Reverend R. A. Callies and several residents of Wheatley Heights urged the City of San Antonio to build a new bridge for Rice Road in 1976, according to San Antonio Express. Funds were reallocated to construction of Rice Road Bridge, Ferris Avenue drainage programs and street repaving projects throughout the city. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/59548709/)

“The double use of federal money violates HUD rules and that project was dropped by the city along with the controversial golf course. The funds were reallocated to construction of Rice Road bridge, Ferris Avenue drainage programs and street repaving projects throughout the city. City Council made one major change in Guerra's proposal — adding $200,000 for four softball parks in the Kennedy High School area, proposed by Councilman Richard Teniente. Objection Funds were taken from the Rice Road bridge and St. Paul projects for the softball diamonds despite a strong protest from Councilman Claude Black. Black said he wanted funds for the Rice Road bridge project, to remain intact.”

However funds were taken from the Rice Road Bridge and St. Paul projects despite a strong protest from Councilman Claude Black. He wanted the funds for Rice Road Bridge project to remain in tact. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/image/59548709/?clipping_id=3873491)

 

Reverend R. A. Callies and several residents of Wheatley Heights urged the City of San Antonio to build a new bridge for Rice Road because the old bridge was becoming dilapidated and overflowing with water from Salado Creek as the old Rice Road Bridge was located in a 100-year floodplain. Rice Road Bridge would be flooded more than 200 times a year sometimes. Rice Road Bridge was also the site of major accidents due to sharp turns.

Reverend R. A. Callies pushed the City of San Antonio to mend roads initiating badly needed improvement and the extension of Martin Luther King Drive on Friday, November 17, 1978. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth399300/m1/8/?q=%22Rice+road+bridge%22)


 

According to the San Antonio Register, on October 11, 1979, the City of San Antonio agreed to close the old Rice Road until proper safety measure were taken. The old Rice Road Bridge was closed off to vehicular traffic on that day. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1051768/m1/1/?q=%22Rice+road+bridge%22)

1979 marked a year of change for the old Rice Road Bridge. On Friday, May 25, 1979, a ribbon cutting ceremony took place at Rice Road and Brooksdale Drive with dedication ceremonies for the Larry Eugene Nance Memorial Bridge that was named after a boy named Larry Nance. A plaque was unveiled officially naming the new bridge in honor of the boy who died at the old Rice Road Bridge.

On July 7, 1964, a 10 year boy named Larry Nance lost his life a tragic drowning accident at the old Rice Road Bridge. Larry was playing and fishing with his younger brother, Bryant, on Salado Creek when he walked in to the water and accidentally drowned. Bryant said his brother walked into the creek fully clothed and "came up twice." He said he did not know Larry, one of seven Nance children went into the creek. The body was recovered about 10 feet from where the boy disappeared. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/58653177/)

[Bryant said his brother walked into the creek fully clothed and "came up twice." He said he did not know Larry, one of seven Nance children went into the creek. The body was recovered about 10 feet from where the boy disappeared. A distraught woman cries openly and neighbors, ail with concern in their eyes, comfort her at the search scene for the boy, who would have been a fifth grader at Whitcomb Riley Elementary School this fall.]

The new Rice Road Bridge opened in 1980. The new Rice Road Bridge would be 680 feet in length would actually go over Salado Creek by at least more than 10 feet. The new Rice Road Bridge would be a vehicular and pedestrian bridge unlike the old Rice Road Bridge. The new bridge was part of reconstruction of Rice Road between Hein Road and Brooksdale Drive. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth399759/m1/5/?q=%22Rice+road+bridge%22)

City of San Antonio gave a contract to Clearwater Constructors, Inc. to built the new Rice Road Bridge in 1980. Associated drainage workings included concrete channels under the bridge to carry runoff water into Salado Creek. The construction cost for the new Rice Road Bridge was $918,610. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth399759/m1/5/?q=%22Rice+road+bridge%22)


However problems were far from over. Reverend R. A. Callies complained to City Council that residents living in the floodplain below both bridges were being neglected. Residents were being flooded with water from Salado Creek whenever rain occurred.

By 1987, the area at Bunche Street and Rice Road in the Wheatley Heights neighborhood became a flooding ground and dumping ground. Wheatley Heights residents marched in front of City Hall to protests the need for permanent relief for residents living below the Rice Road bridge despite the fact that only 6 residents lived below the Rice Road Bridge on Bunche Street. During recent rains, residents could not get to their homes. Reverend R. A. Callies also added that residents were confronted all types of trash as Wheatley Heights became a dumping ground for trash. Bunche Street was a dumping ground for trash during the 1980s. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth842314/m1/1/?q=%22Nance+Bridge%22)

 

 

The original old Rice Road Bridge was still in tact and was still being used in 1981 by residents from Wheatley Heights who live on Rice Road, Bunche Street, and F Street. Primarily those who live on Rice Road and Bunche Street. The old Rice Road was torn down sometime prior to 1995. The exact date is unknown. The only remnants left are the modified curb where the old Rice Road used to connect.

The old Rice Road Bridge was located at 131 Rice Road, San Antonio, Texas, US 78220.

History of Marshall's Car Wash in San Antonio, Texas explained.

Marshall's Car Wash was established in 1981 as a car wash and detail shop with an 8 bay self-service car wash facility with a gross building area of 3,648 square feet. The car wash is equipped with typical wand and brush equipment which features triple foam conditioner. Interior bays have glazed tile wall covers. The structure is steel frame construction with steel rafters and corrugated metal for the roof cover. There are two change machines. A vacuum canopy was located to the rear of the main car wash building. (Ref: https://images2.loopnet.com/d2/VgMvsu5-M3Jpi4B4Zvs4jT8h2d4C8yC_yoLlbIRw7Cg/document.pdf)

Marshall's Car Wash was located on land owned by Betty Jane Krahn. Betty Jane Krahn sold Marshall's Car Wash to Rum Cay LLC on December 20, 2017. (Ref: Bexar County Deeds, Document Number 20170250143)

What led to the decline of Marshall's Car Wash was the business being sold to new owners who did not take care of maintenance and upkeep. One reviewer said, “I've brought my cars here always a great place, but recent new owners don't take care of shit. Foam brushes not working, vacuums missing heads, suction is horrible. I'm out. Time to find a new spot.” (Ref: https://reviews.birdeye.com/marshalls-car-wash-156057551092084)

Marshall's Car Wash shut down in 2020. Rum Cay LLC has sold the property and car wash to a handful of owners over the years. Rum Cay LLC and Jake Lamb currently own the car wash and property. So Jake Lamb has not done anything with the car wash and property as he wants to sell it. The car wash sits abandoned and unused. (Ref: Bexar County Deeds, Document Number 20220116849)

Marshall's Car Wash was located at 8373 Eckhert Road, San Antonio, Texas, US 78240. The phone numbers were 210-680-2141 and 210-690-6256. (Ref: https://homemetry.com/house/8373+ECKHERT+RD,+San+Antonio+TX)

The mystery of the large rectangular concrete wall in Lago Vista, Texas revealed.

Some of you may be wondering what that big large rectangular concrete wall is located up on a hill is the small resort town of Lago, Texas is. This news article will explain what that big large rectangular concrete on that hill is. This wall has become a hotspot for local artists and taggers. Nearly the entire wall has been covered in graffiti pieces, some of which have been painted over too.

This big large rectangular concrete wall covered in graffiti was once home to a condominium development called Lauterborn Homes, Inc which would later become Lago Vista Lodges Condominiums.

Lauterborn Homes, Inc was a building firm owned by B R Lauterborn (Bernie Lauterborn) that was established on the date of November 17, 1975. Lauterborn Homes, Inc would open a series of condominiums on top of a hill in late 1975.

(Ref: https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_tx/0037061700)
(Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/379003468/)

Bernie Lauterborn had been operating a building firm called Lauterborn Homes, Inc which helped build homes in the Lago Vista area. Lauterborn Homes, Inc had been listed as one of the registered building firms of Austin by the Austin American-Stateman. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/379003468/)

According to trulia.com, this big large rectangular concrete wall was once the support wall for a series of condominiums located on a hill located on property that has a size lot of 1,607 square feet (1,607 sq ft) with approximately 384 square feet 384 of floor space. (Ref: https://www.trulia.com/home/5603-Lago-Vista-Way-Leander-TX-78645-29378335)

B R Lauterborn would operate these condominiums as Lauterborn Homes, Inc. until he established a different business entity called Lago Vista Lodges Condominiums. According to date from opencorporates.com, Lago Vista Lodges Condominiums began as a domestic non-profit corporation for the purpose of housing and lodging on the date of January 22, 1980. B R Lauterborn (Bernie Lauterborn) was the owner of Lago Vista Lodges Condominiums. (Ref: https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_tx/0050525301)


Tax forfeiture led to the downfall and decline of Lago Vista Lodges Condominiums. Lago Vista Lodges Condominiums was shut down by the State of Texas in late 1990 due to tax forfeiture as the owner, B R Lauterborn, had not been paying taxes. Lauterborn Homes, Inc. was shut down at the same date and time for the same reason since Lauterborn Homes, Inc. was the parent company that had been responsible for operating Lago Vista Lodges Condominiums. (Ref: https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_tx/0050525301)

These condominiums were later demolished. All that is left of these condominiums is the large rectangular concrete wall and concrete slabs. The exact date of when these condominiums were demolished is currently unknown.

On the day of April 20, 2009, B R Lauterborn and Lago Vista Lodges Condominiums were sued by Travis County and the City of Lago Vista for delinquent property taxes that had not been paid in over 11 years. The property was put up on a Constable Deed where the Sheriff of Travis County sold the property in an auction or bid. (Ref: https://archive.org/stream/The_Austin_Chronicle-2009-12-11/The_Austin_Chronicle-2009-12-11_djvu.txt)

BY VIRTUE of a certain Order Of Sale issued by the clerk of  the 250th District Court of Travis County, on the 20th day of April, 2009 in a certain cause numbered 91-7764, wherein Travis County, city of Lago Vista, Lago Vista Independent School District, Travis County Emergency  Services District No. 1 and County Education District are plaintiffs, and Kelly McCutcheon, if alive and if deceased, the unknown owners, heirs, assigns and successors of the Estate of Kelly McCutcheon, Jim McCutcheon, Lauterborn Homes, Inc. (In Rem Only), if active and if inactive, the unknown owners, directors and shareholders of Lauterborn Homes, Inc.,

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Receiver for Bank of the Hills (In Rem Only), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Receiver for Allied Bank North Austin (In Rem Only), Connecticut National Bank nka Fleet Bank (In Rem Only), United States of America (In Rem Only) and City of Austin, Claims Division (In Rem Only) are defendant(s), in favor of said plaintiffs, for the sum of $3,938.03 Dollars, together with all costs of suit, that being the amount of judgment recovered by the said plaintiffs, in the 250th District Court of Travis County, Texas, on August 2, 1999.

I, on the 27th day of April, 2009, at 2:00 o’clock PM., have levied upon, and will, on the 2nd day of June, 2009 at 10:00 o’ clock, A.M., at 1000 Guadalupe St. in the City of Austin, within legal hours, proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the rights, title and interest of defendants in and to the following described property, levied upon as the property of defendants, to-wit: Unit 12-B, Building A, Lago Vista Lodges Condominiums, Condo. Records 8/542 as described in Volume 8697, Page 943 of the deed records of Travis County, Texas.

THE ABOVE SALE to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment for $3,938.03 Dollars in favor of plaintiffs, together with the costs of said suit, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof. Witness my hand this 27th day of April, 2009.

BRUCE ELFANT, CONSTABLE PRECINCT 5
TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS

BY /s/ Joe Rosser DEPUTY ON THE PROPERTY SOLD, THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FORA PARTICULAR PURPOSE. YOU BUY THE PROPERTY “AS IS”. BIDDERS ARE FURTHER ADVISED THAT PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY AT THIS EXECUTION SALE MAY NOT EXTINGUISH ANY LIENS OR SECURITY INTERESTS ON THE PROPERTY. YOU ARE SIMPLY PURCHASING WHATEVER INTEREST THE DEBTOR HAS IN THE PROPERTY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU NEED TO CONSULT COUNSEL OF YOUR CHOICE.


On the day of August 21, 2017, B R Lauterborn and Lago Vista Lodges Condominiums were sued by Travis County and the City of Lago Vista for delinquent property taxes that had not been paid in over 11 years. The property was put up on a Constable Deed where the Sheriff of Travis County sold the property in an auction or bid. (Ref: https://archive.org/stream/The_Austin_Chronicle-2017-09-22/2017-09-22_djvu.txt)

BY VIRTUE of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 250TH District Court of Travis County, on the 21st of AUGUST, 2017 in a certain cause numbered D-1-GN-16-003468, wherein Travis County, Lago Vista Independent School District, Travis County Healthcare District d/b/a Central Health, Travis County Emergency Services District No. 1 and City of Lago Vista are plaintiffs, and 28 Lodges, L.L.C. are defendant(s), in favor of said plaintiffs, for the sum of $30,519.89 Dollars, together with all costs of suit, that being the amount of judgment recovered by the said plaintiffs, in the 250TH District Court of Travis County, Texas, on January 11, 2017.

Since 2021, this big large rectangular concrete wall has become a hotspot for local artists and taggers. Nearly the entire wall has been covered in graffiti pieces. Some of which have been painted over.

The large rectangular concrete wall is located at 5603 Lago Vista Way, Lago Vista, Texas, US 78645. The phone number was 512-267-1114. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/379569627/)