Heritage Trail at Brushy Creek
Originally, Round Rock was not named Round Rock, nor was it located where it currently stands. Coincidence and fate combined to determine its location. In 1840, President Lamar of the Republic of Texas tasked Colonel William Gordon Cooke with establishing a military road from Austin northward to Fort Inglish (Bonham) on the Red River. The military road crossed Brushy Creek at a low water crossing marked by a round rock. The initial settlement of Brushy (as the town was originally called) followed and was located on the banks of Brushy Creek near this “round rock.” This settlement grew, despite a succession of floods, and flourished until the coming of the International and Great Northern Railroad in 1876 forced the commercial area of Round Rock to move to the east, leaving the original settlement to be referred to as Old Town forever more.
The City of Round Rock is now working hard to revitalize the area known as Old Town. With the construction of Heritage Trail, a 10-foot-wide concrete trail section that runs along and crosses the banks of Brushy Creek, as well as the restoration of the surrounding park areas, the City seeks to showcase the history of this area and return it to its former glory. The trail will serve as a timeline, detailing historically important events in Round Rock’s development through interpretive signage and artwork along its length. As heritage visitors and trail users alike travel from west to east along the trail, they will encounter decade markers with sculptures, period appropriate site amenities, portals to the past, and historical facts and stories throughout.
The Heritage Trail passes through and is adjacent to many historically significant sites along its way. Perhaps the most significant landmark along the trail is the “round rock.” One of the most common questions residents of Round Rock are asked is if the rock is a real thing. Many are surprised to hear it is. This table shaped stone in the middle of Brushy Creek has always served as a visual marker for a safe crossing point of the creek. As such, this area had a feeder trail that led to the Chisholm Trail cattle drive which transported cattle from ranches in southern Texas to Kansas. As part of the Heritage Trail project, a viewing platform for the round rock was provided on the new pedestrian bridge that sits atop historic trestles that remained after a flood washed out the old bridge in 1900.
The Stagecoach Inn was also built in this area along the old military road and was a bustling center for weary travelers, offering them a place to eat and rest. In 2018, the Inn was relocated from its original location south of the creek to its current location along Heritage Trail, just north of the creek. The City is currently working with Round Rock Preservation, a local 501(c)3 non-profit organization, to rehabilitate the Inn and make it available for heritage travelers to visit. That project should be completed later in 2024.
Just east of the Stagecoach Inn, wagon wheel ruts are still visible in the exposed rock adjacent to the creek. These ruts were likely caused by wagon trains and/or wagons laden with heavy stone from a nearby quarry. The trail also passes by the old swimming hole, known as Bathing Beach, which was a popular spot for residents to find respite from the Texas summer days. The swimming hole will not be recreated as part of the project, but the importance of it to past Round Rock residents will be interpreted at its historic location.
Apart from the vast historic sites along the Heritage Trail, the area offers amazing views and is a serene area that nature lovers can explore. Dams create small waterfalls along its length and the rushing water helps block out the sounds of suburban life beyond. Brushy Creek is home to several species of fish and the waters are often frequented by fly fisherman, kayakers, and paddleboarders. If you visit, expect to see egrets, blue herons and a host of other birds as the bird watching along Brushy Creek is phenomenal.
