The Ludwig Mahncke historical marker is sponsored by his great-granddaughter, Mary Anita Dittmar Calvert and her husband, James Calvert. Mrs. Calvert’s grandmother, Anna Mahncke Deutz, donated the adjoining fountain to the City of San Antonio in 1964.

Ludwig Mahncke served as San Antonio Parks Commissioner from 1901 until 1906. He encouraged his friend George W. Brackenridge to give the city 199-acres of riverfront land that comprises a large part of today’s Brackenridge Park.  Mahncke also designed early improvements to Brackenridge Park and beautified many of the city’s other plazas and open spaces. After his death in 1906, Mahncke’s many friends commemorated him with a bust by artist Pompeo Coppini, located today in Mahncke Park.