In our latest spotlight on the namesakes of Mueller parks, we focus on a trailblazer who didn’t just open doors - she busted them down for all the women who came after her: Jessie Andrews (1867 - 1919).

Jessie Andrews Park: Where Austin’s Past Inspires Mueller’s Future

In a city that thrives on innovation and community, Austin never forgets the people who paved the way. One of those pioneers is Jessie Andrews - the first woman to graduate from the University of Texas at Austin and a true trailblazer for women in education.

Today, her name lives on not just in the university’s history books, but right here in our own neighborhood at Jessie Andrews Park - a thoughtfully designed green space in the heart of Mueller that perfectly blends Austin’s past with its forward-thinking spirit.

🎓 Breaking Barriers at UT Austin

Jessie Andrews’ story begins in 1867 in Mississippi, but it’s here in Austin where she made history. After graduating from Austin High School as valedictorian in 1883, she took an audacious step for her time - enrolling at the newly founded University of Texas at Austin, when women on campus were few and far between.

In 1886, Jessie walked across the stage as UT’s first female graduate, earning her Bachelor of Literature (B.Litt.) with a major in German and honors in French, mathematics, and history. During her commencement, the acting president of the University of Virginia even sent a congratulatory telegram - a public nod to her groundbreaking achievement that rippled far beyond Austin.

📚 Scholar, Teacher, Poet - and First Female Faculty Member

Jessie wasn’t one to slow down. Just two years after graduating, she returned to UT Austin - not as a student, but as the university’s first female instructor.

For the next 35 years, she taught German language and literature, shaping minds and mentoring generations of students. She helped establish women’s academic groups that would later evolve into the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and became the first female member of the Texas Exes Alumni Association.

Andrews was also a published poet, with works featured in The New York Times and her own book, Rough Rider Rhymes (1910). Her dedication went far beyond the classroom - she spent nine summers traveling thousands of miles by train to earn a master’s degree from the University of Chicago in 1906. That kind of perseverance defines Austin grit.

🌍 A Woman of Conviction

During World War I, Jessie made another bold decision - resigning from UT Austin in 1918 after expressing disillusionment with Germany, the very culture she had devoted her academic life to studying. It was a rare and personal stand for principle over comfort.

Jessie passed away the following year at just 52, but her influence never faded. UT Austin named a dormitory and even a rose variety in her honor - the “Jessie Andrews Rose,” developed by the Tyler Rose Growers Association in 1938. The university’s alumni magazine, The Alcalde, dedicated its May 1920 issue entirely to her memory.

🌳 Jessie Andrews Park: Mueller’s Tribute to a Texas Trailblazer

Fast forward to today, and Jessie’s legacy lives on at Jessie Andrews Park, located at 2601 Philomena Street in Mueller.

Opened in November 2020, this one-acre park became the eighth official green space in the neighborhood, part of Mueller’s mission to name parks after local legends who helped shape Austin’s story. Jessie Andrews embodies exactly that - courage, intellect, and a dedication to community.

✨ What You’ll Find at Jessie Andrews Park

• 🎨 Art that inspires: The park’s signature feature, Ocho - a 20-foot metal octopus sculpture by Texas artist Dixie Friend Gay - shimmers with color-shifting paint, representing intelligence, adaptability, and creativity.
  
  

• 🧺 A park for everyone: Shaded picnic areas, game tables, and string lights make it ideal for everything from weekday lunches to weekend gatherings.
  
  

• 👧 Family-friendly design: Kids love the climbing nets, tunnels, and open play lawns, while adults enjoy quiet reading nooks and community tables.
  
  

• 🚴‍♀️ Easy connections: The park links directly into Mueller’s trail system, with nearby access to Lake Park, the Aldrich Street District, and other community hubs.

Much like its namesake, the park manages to be understated yet impactful - smartly designed, welcoming, and deeply tied to Austin’s sense of place.

❤️ Legacy Meets Livability in Mueller

For those of us who live and work in Mueller, Jessie Andrews Park is more than just a greenspace. It’s a living tribute - a reminder that every street, home, and gathering spot here has roots in Austin’s bigger story.

Mueller has always balanced progress and purpose - turning a former airport into one of Austin’s most walkable, sustainable, and connected neighborhoods. Naming its parks after real Austinites, from scientists to educators to civic leaders, keeps that legacy alive.

Jessie Andrews Park perfectly captures what makes this community special: a celebration of people who built something lasting - and a place where families today can continue that story.

🏡 Why This Matters to Austin Homebuyers

When buyers search for Mueller Austin homes for sale, they’re not just looking for floorplans - they’re looking for lifestyle. Parks like Jessie Andrews bring value that goes beyond square footage: walkability, cultural connection, and a shared sense of history.

For families, this means kids can grow up surrounded by inspiring stories. For investors, it means property values tied to genuine neighborhood identity. And for everyone else, it means a community that feels personal, not cookie-cutter.

💬 FAQs About Jessie Andrews & the Park

Q: Who was Jessie Andrews?
A: Jessie Andrews (1867–1919) was the first woman to graduate from the University of Texas at Austin - and later, its first female instructor. She spent 35 years teaching German and was an early advocate for women’s higher education.

Q: What is Jessie Andrews Park?
A: Jessie Andrews Park is a one-acre community park in the Mueller neighborhood, named in her honor. It opened in late 2020 and features art installations, picnic areas, and play spaces.

Q: Why was it named after her?
A: Mueller names its parks after influential Austinites. Jessie Andrews’ pioneering academic career made her an ideal symbol of courage, intellect, and progress.

Q: Where is the park located?
A: The park is located at 2601 Philomena Street, Austin, TX 78723, steps from Mueller’s town center and within walking distance of cafes, trails, and family-friendly amenities.

Q: What’s the story behind the octopus sculpture?
A: The 20-foot sculpture, Ocho, was created by artist Dixie Friend Gay. Its color-shifting design represents intelligence and transformation - traits that Jessie Andrews embodied throughout her life.

Q: Can you host events at the park?
A: Yes! Jessie Andrews Park includes flexible spaces for small gatherings, performances, and neighborhood events - perfect for Mueller’s close-knit community vibe.

✉️ Let’s Connect

At Mueller Residential Group, we believe neighborhoods are more than homes - they’re stories. Jessie Andrews Park is one of many places that remind us how history and community come together to make Mueller one of Austin’s most vibrant places to live.

If you’d like to learn more about homes near Jessie Andrews Park - or what makes Mueller such a unique part of Austin - our team would love to help.

📞 (512) 829-1351
📧 hello@muellerresidentialgroup.com
🌐 MuellerResidentialGroup.com

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