This name refers to at least two springs. Between 1846 and 1865 many US Army troops, including those under the command of General Custer and General Lee, camped at the springs. J.W. Wilbarger in his book notes, "There were quite a number of murders committed in Travis County during the year 1842. Gideon White was another who fell a victim to the preying bands of Indians who were continuously scouring the country around Austin." Gideon White settled on Seider Springs about 1840, and was killed near the springs in 1842. Wilbarger states, "When the Indians made the attack they were on horseback .. [Gideon White on foot] ran for some distance, but finding the Indians were gaining on him rapidly, he sprang behind a tree, in a thicket, and defended himself as best he could. The Indians, however, finally killed him, in sight of and within a quarter of a mile of his house." Wilbarger noted that marks of a number of arrows and bullets which hit the tree were visible for many years. Seiders Springs are now in Seider Springs Park, managed by the City of Austin, and located on Shoal Creek Trail, between 34th and 38th, Austin (30.305826,-97.747294).
