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The
courthouse annex.
The side with awnings faces the courthouse.
TE Photo, 9-01 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
The county was named for Texas
Ranger Captain Jack Hays - The town after the river (named on
St. Mark's Day 1689).
A timeline of significant events in the history of San Marcos:
1755: Spanish build the short-lived San Xavier Mission and
Presidio San Francisco Xavier
1808: The Spanish Governor of Texas attempts another colony,
but floods and Indian raids cause them to abandon efforts in 1812.
1846: First settlers arrive and settle near the confluence
of the Blanco and San Marcos Rivers.
1848: Hays County
is created and San Marcos becomes a stagecoach stop on the Austin-San
Antonio run
1860: Cannonville (named after the same William Cannon the
south Austin road is named after) wins an election for county seat,
but records are never transferred and William Cannon's death ends
the rivalry.
1869: Second courthouse is constructed.
1881: The International -Great Northern Railroad reaches San
Marcos - population reaches 2,335
1882: F.E. Ruffini builds the third
Hays County courthouse (as well as the former Blanco County Courthouse
in Blanco in 1885)
1903: Southwest Texas Normal School (for teachers) opens -
later becomes Southwest Texas University
1973: Hays County
and San Marcos become part of the Austin Standard Metropolitan Statistical
Area. By the mid-1980s at least 20 percent of Hays
County's labor force worked in Travis
County. San Marcos itself was estimated to have a population of
25,000 and 20,000 students, for a total of 45,000.
1994: Southwest Texas State University takes over management
of Aquarena
Springs. Extensive remodeling has just recently completed. |
San Marcos
Landmarks/Attractions
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| Aerial
photo courtesy of Paul Turner |
Hays
County Courthouse
The 1908 courthouse by Page, and the 1882 courthouse by Ruffini
Former
Hays County Jails
Aquarena
Springs - Recently the Springs have undergone an extensive
updating and cosmetic overhaul. Exhibits explain the springs, and
their flora and fauna. Glass bottom boat ride. Bird watching on
the "Wetlands Walkway" along San Marcos River. The facility
is now run by Southwest Texas State University. 800-999-9767,
512-245-7570
Belvin Street
District: just a few blocks west of the square - a fine collection
of 19th century houses. Not open to the public - drive-by viewing
only. Tour of Homes first weekend in May.
The Former
City Hall and Fire Station: (c. 1915) One half block north of
the square. Spanish Revival building typical of the period when
fire stations shared space with other community services. Shiner
and Hallettsville
have similar buildings.
Commemorative
Air Force Central Texas Wing - at the San Marcos Municipal Airport.
Vintage military aricrafts in the 1943 vintage wooden hangar, and
museum. 512-396-1943. Admissions.
Parks
- 21 city parks , including the Children's Park along the river.
San Marcos
River Walkway
Southwest
Texas State University: Founded in 1899 - opened in 1903 - as
Southwest Texas Normal School. On the hill North and East of the
square on the 11 acres originally deeded for it.
Wittliff
Gallery of Southwestern & Mexican Photography and Southwestern
Writers Collection - Albert B. Alkek Library, Southwest Texas
State University, 512-245-2313.
Wonder World
- Earthquake-formed cave. 512-392-3760. Admissions.
Book Hotel Here › San
Marcos Hotels
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San
Marcos street scene
TE Photo |
San Marcos
Vintage Images
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Bird's Eye View
of San Marcos
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
NW
Corner of Square
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
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San Marcos in
the early 1900s
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com
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San Marcos City
Hall and Fire Station
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
Swimming
to Mexico
"...Aquarena Springs Drive will become C.M. Allen Parkway.
Continue past Sessoms and University Drive. On your left before
you get to Hopkins is the San Marcos Convention & Visitors Bureau.
888-200-5620. The bureau has an excellent "Windshield Tour"
of San Marcos listing 29 historic buildings and their histories,
including ..." more
RR
32 - "Devil's Backbone" - Scenic Drive
San
Marcos Hotels › Book Hotel Here
San Marcos Tourist
Information
San Marcos Convention and Visitor's Bureau:
I-35 (EXIT 206) 1-888-200-5620, 512-393-5930
Mon-Sat 9AM - 5 PM, Sun 10AM-4PM
Website: www.sanmarcostexas.com |
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Church
steeple
TE Photo, 9-01 |
Morris
Ranch & other places
My wife love going to old places......About 2 weeks ago we went
to the Austin, San
Marcos area (Hill
Country) We found Morris
Ranch,....We went on to San Marcos, there we found an
old hospital that had at one time been converted into a college
fraternity house, but now is abandonded with a somewhat spooky history
of a fraternity ritual that had gone wrong ,maybe true maybe not...(
I read about it in a book called Weird Texas, check it out sometime
its a cool book)........Also we found an
abandonded saw mill outside of Luling
....As usual I can't say enough good about your website...who knows
where we will go next.......... Thanks. - Rodney Stegall, November
08, 2005
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| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories
and new or vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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