Round Rock History Series: THE Rock
Why is Round Rock named Round Rock?
Occasionally, new families in our community ask, “Why does our town have such a funny name?” Or is there an actual “round rock” somewhere? Yes! There is!
Our town is named after the landmark in the center of Brushy Creek that pioneers used as a famous low-water crossing. This spot, marked by the round rock, was so perfect for crossing with its shallow waters and hard limestone creek bed that horse-drawn wagons and, yes, even stagecoaches used it.
In 1848, just 12 years after the fall of the Alamo, when we lived under the nation of Texas, a man named John J Harris built a Stagecoach stop just 100 yards south of the Brushy Creek low-water crossing. Today, that same Stagecoach Inn, saved from demolition in 2017, sits a few yards north across from the Round Rock landmark.
Later in the 1880s, many cattle drives used this same crossing as part of the Chisholm Trail. Cowboys drove literally thousands of longhorn cattle across this spot on their way to the Kansas markets.
For the visitor who stops there for a moment today, deep-cut wagon tracks from the 1800s are quite visible in the limestone creek bed. Round Rock’s Western heritage is firmly embedded in our colorful history. Stop by and enjoy!
This Round the Rock series is brought to you by the Round Rock Preservation organization.
Round Rock Preservation is an IRS 501c3 Nonprofit Charity established for charitable & educational purposes. (EIN: 81-2339800). Donations welcome!
The mission of Round Rock Preservation is to fulfill the need for a city-wide community advocacy program related to protecting, preserving, and supporting historic preservation within the City of Round Rock. Lectures and presentations are available.
For more info, contact Frank Darr, Vice President, at fdarr@austin.rr.com.
Click below to learn more about the upcoming Discovering Round Rock History lunch and learn.
