About 1917, City Parks Commissioner Ray Lambert visualized an oriental-style garden in the pit of the quarry.

In 1918 Lambert used prison labor to shape the quarry into a complex that included walkways, stone arch bridges, an island and a Japanese pagoda.

[2] At the entrance to the garden, Mexican-born artist Dionicio Rodriguez (1891-1955) replicated a Japanese Torii gate in his unique style of concrete construction that imitated wood.

Due to limited funding, the city threatened to close the garden, but the community and parks supporters rallied and lobbied to keep it open.

The building is now a Fresh Horizons Creative Catering restaurant, serving light lunches as the Jingu family did in the 1930s.

[3] In recognition of the Tea Garden's origin as a rock quarry that played a prominent role in the development of the cement business, as well as its later redevelopment as a garden, the site is designated a Texas Civil Engineering Landmark, a Registered Texas Historic Landmark, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

It comprises 879 permanently installed seats and has the option of adding folding chairs for a total general admittance of 2,700.