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Dedicated in April of 1973, this garden offers a display of labeled shrub and climbing roses which are at their peak of beauty in May each year. (Mrs. Alden Davis helped organize the Austin Area Garden Center and served as the Center's first President.) The Rose Garden was enlarged in 1987, and is now an All American Display Rose Garden with over 800 bushes. Each year additional plantings will display the new roses to be made available to the public the following year. Bickler Cupola originally topped one of the first public schools in Austin. Constructed in 1894 on the corner of East Avenue and 11th Street, it was renamed in 1902 to honor a pioneer educator, Jacob Bickler. In 1947 the school was made the administrative offices of the Austin Independent School District. When the building was demolished in 1968, the School District donated the cupola to the City of Austin. Carl Von Bleucher Memorial Columns were given in honor of this dedicated rose grower and Charter Member of the Rose Society by his family. These eight columns of climbing Don Juan roses are east of the Bickler Cupolas AAGC Memorial Arch of climbing roses was established to recognize deceased individuals who have contributed substantially to the development, beautification, enhancement and maintenance of the Gardens and the Austin Area Garden Center. The Butler Window, one of the most popular wedding sites in the garden, is from the home of Michael Butler. The unusual key-shaped window was the focal point of the house, which was built in 1887 at the corner of 11th and Guadalupe Streets. The window was donated to the Garden Center in 1971 when the house was demolished. |