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That's My Boy! LbNA #44192 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Bloomin' Gramma Jo
Plant date:Oct 25, 2008
Location:
City:Austin
County:Travis
State:Texas
Boxes:1
Found by: screamin meemie
Last found:Apr 8, 2010
Status:FFFFFFFr
Last edited:Oct 25, 2008
That’s My Boy!

REPORTED THAT STAMP IS MISSING, ALTHO BOX AND LOGBOOK ARE THERE, AS OF MAY 25, 2009

This box was placed as part of the 2008 BOXtoberfest Road Rally. It has been placed in a new spot and available for all to find.

Anna Pennybacker (1861-1938) was the mother of Percy Pennybacker (1895-1963), a civil engineer who pioneered the technology of welded structures, particularly for bridges. His technique was used in the construction of one of Austin’s most celebrated landmarks. Percy Pennybacker received many accolades throughout his life for his accomplishments. I like to think his training began at his mother’s knee.
Anna Hardwicke Pennybacker was a social debutante from Virginia. She graduated from the first class of Sam Houston Normal School in Huntsville, continued her education in Europe, and subsequently taught grammar and high school for fourteen years. In 1884 she married Percy Sr. in Palestine, Tx. They had three children, including Percy Jr.
In Austin in 1888 she wrote and published A History of Texas: For Schools, a textbook that was a staple of Texas classrooms for 40 yrs., and one of the first Texas history books officially adopted by the Texas Legislature.
Anna was active in women’s clubs, and served as president of the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs, as well as serving two terms as national president of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. She was also responsible for obtaining the first women’s dormitory on the UT campus.
As a strong Democrat, Mrs. Pennybacker became friends with Eleanor Roosevelt in a 14-yr friendship based on mutual interest in social reform. She made frequent trips to the White House, and was a special correspondent to the League of Nations 1925-27 and 1929-31.

Since she never lived to see her son’s celebrated bridge, I placed her here where she can see it every day, and marvel at the adventurous souls who make the climb to enjoy the same view. If you are one of those adventurers, climb to the bluff where the lone brave tree salutes the bridge. Admire the view and be blessed by the combination of human and divine creativity.
To find Mrs. Pennybacker, travel upstream along the path. At the human barrier, look north for the breach. Bend low and step lively 9 steps south. Upstream 44 steps to the fire pit on the ledge. From here, downhill for 55 to the mini-campfire site. Up stream again, for 38 steps and stop. A stump on the left, a stump straight ahead, and one to your right downhill. Take 5 steps to that downhill stump, with a rock on top, where the proud mama watches and rests. Please hide her again well, as many hikers and “campers” frequent these woods.