LOOKING BACK
The area just east of Austin known as “City Springs” around 1906.
From spring to county club
The history of Austin’s pure springs By Jaimie Timm, Mower County Historical Society • All Mower County Historical Society
photos courtesy of the
D
uring the city’s early years, Austin promoted the fresh and pure spring water from several surrounding springs as one of its most important features. One of these springs was located on James J. Sargent’s farm east of Austin. He arrived in Austin on May 23, 1857, and claimed 175 acres of land. “Settlers were not numerous when he made his location, and few improvements met the eye.” (1884 Mower County History) Mr. Sargent continued to break more land and created a prosperous farm. After he moved to Austin in 1880, the farm — a fine dairy operation with Jersey cows and Shropshire sheep — was rented out by several people, including Jay Rugg. Mr. Rugg began what would become the Austin Dairy Company while renting the Sargent Spring Farm. 50 | Austin Living | May-June 2020
James T. Sargent, as pictured via a sketch in the Mower County Transcript.
