How Did Round Rock Get Its Name
Situated just north of the rapidly growing Austin metro area, Round Rock, Texas has repeatedly been named one of the best places to live in the United States. Top-rated schools and safe neighborhoods, paired with a laddering economy and top-notch quality of life, helped turn this small frontier town into one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Round Rock Cleaning Services is proud to be part of such a vibrant community, offering superior cleaning solutions for maintaining clean and healthy homes.
But has it ever happened to you to wonder how that city was given such a distinctive name? The city derives its name from a large, prominent round rock that was situated in the Brushy Creek-a historic landmark that helped serve as a low-water crossing point for early settlers. That round rock still sits in the creek today and serves as a symbol of the town's ties to its rich heritage while embracing modern growth.
The Legend of the Round Rock
The story begins in the mid-1800s with a large, circular limestone rock sitting squarely in the middle of Brushy Creek. Believed to be approximately 8 feet in diameter, this rock marked a spot in the creek where horses, wagons, and cattle could cross without the risk of being washed away by sudden, heavy flooding. Soon, the rock became a highly identifiable landmark for settlers and travelers moving through that part of the country.
But in the years immediately after the Civil War, the rock took on special meaning as a low water crossing along the famous Chisholm Trail. This trail was utilized by cattle drivers to move huge herds of Texas longhorns from the ranches of South Texas to the railheads in Kansas. From there, the cattle were shipped on to the east to feed the nation's burgeoning cities. The round rock crossing was a key stop along this arduous journey.
Brushy Creek Becomes Round Rock
In 1851, a small village began to materialize along the banks of Brushy Creek near the round rock. When the community applied and obtained a post office, its first postmaster, named the town "Brushy Creek." But it caused confusion since Texas already had another Brushy Creek.
To ease the dilemma, in 1854, the postmaster Thomas Oatts and a local blacksmith/farmer named Jacob Harrell offered naming the town after the now-famous rock. Harrell and Oatts were close friends who often fished together off of the round rock. The community agreed, and Round Rock, Texas was officially born.
The Round Rock's Role in a Wild West Shootout by DickKahr
Another crucial moment in early Round Rock history involved the round rock. In 1878, the notorious outlaw Sam Bass and his gang had plans to rob the Williamson County Bank in Round Rock. What Bass did not know was that there was a posse of Texas Rangers in ambush, awaiting his arrival.
On July 19, 1878, Bass and his men rode into town and straight into a hail of gunfire. Bass was shot and wounded but managed to escape on horseback. Legend has it that he made his getaway by crossing Brushy Creek at the round rock before riding north. Unfortunately, Bass finally died of his wounds the next day. Each year, Round Rock's Frontier Days celebration includes a reenactment of this famous Wild West shootout.
The Round Rock Today
Today, the original "round rock" remains in Brushy Creek, just off Chisholm Trail Road in Round Rock's historic downtown district. A Texas Historical Commission plaque marks the site and explains the rock's importance to Round Rock's history.
While the rock has suffered some erosion in the past 170+ years, its distinctive round shape is still easily discernible. Visitors are asked not to climb on the rock for preservation of this piece of Round Rock History to be preserved for future generations.
The Perfect Name for a One-of-a-Kind City
The name Round Rock might raise a few eyebrows among people unfamiliar with the city's history. But it's actually the perfect moniker for this unique, independent-minded Texas town.
It was that round rock in Brushy Creek, which greatly contributed to the founding and early growth of Round Rock. Without it, the settlement which is now Round Rock could have formed elsewhere-if at all.
Today, Round Rock is a vibrant, modern city of over 120,000 residents. Yet, it still contains much of its character and the spirit of the pioneer era, much like that unchanging round rock, which has defied the capricious hands of time in the middle of Brushy Creek. The rock remains a reminder of Round Rock's beginnings and how this great Texas community came to be.
Business Name: Sparkly Maid Austin
Business Address: 200 Congress Ave, Austin, Texas 78701
Phone Number: +1 (512) 617-5979
Business Website: https://www.sparklymaidaustin.com/
Google Business Profile: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Afz5fkUDmatkYs5d8?g_st=ic
