Old Settlers Park – Historical Sites

Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, Texas, is a 645-acre park with recreation areas, playgrounds, and six massive sports complexes. This makes it capable of hosting sporting events of all sizes. In addition to Old Settlers Park, there are many other sporting venues in Round Rock, earning it the name “Sports Capital of Texas.” In 2018, financial technology company SmartAsset named Round Rock the second “Best Minor League Baseball Town.” In addition to being a popular sports destination, the city of Round Rock has earned plenty  of accolades for being a safe, family-friendly, and affordable place to live.

While Round Rock is a great city today, it has a storied past that makes it all the more interesting. Round Rock has been around since the 1800s, serving as a hub for trading and cattle transportation. Because of its centuries-long history, there is a lot you could learn about this charming city while you’re there. Check out the recommended sites below to get a deep dive into the history of Round Rock.

Chisholm Trail Crossing Park

One of the most important aspects of Round Rock history is its location on the Chisholm trading trail. In the 1800s, ranchers and farmers went on huge journeys from the Southwest, where their cattle grazed, to the Midwest, where the markets were located. On this journey, ranchers had to pass through Bushy Creek, a shallow stream.

In the middle of Bushy Creek is a circular rock formation, which is how the city of Round Rock got its name. So many passed beside this round rock that track marks can still be seen in the stones of the river when the water is low. These ruts serve as a fascinating glimpse into the past.

At Chisholm Trail Crossing Park, located less than 10 minutes from Old Settlers Park, you can see these historic sites firsthand. In the park are six larger-than-life bronze statues commemorating the settlers and their cattle that passed through Round Rock along the Chisholm Trail.

The Williamson Museum

To learn more about the community and the importance of the Chisholm Trail, head over to The Williamson Museum. This establishment celebrates Round Rock’s past and encourages visitors to learn more about the history of Williamson County.

In the museum are interactive, educational exhibits for all ages. These include an exhibit highlighting the impact of influential women of Williamson County, a county map highlighting important locations, and a “Kids Corral” where younger visitors can get an up-close look at a traveler’s chuckbox. There are even museum docents that dress up in period garb and share information about Williamson county.

The Williamson Museum on the Chisholm Trail puts into context all the historical value of the county, and is less than 10 minutes from Old Settlers Park.

Historic Architecture

The older section of Round Rock is filled with historic architecture, much of which dates back between 1876 and 1881. One of the most important and well-known of these buildings is the Broom Factory Building, constructed in 1876.

The Broom Factory was one of Round Rock’s main employers, and truly flourished during the town’s railroad era. In 1904, the Broom Factory won a gold medal at the St. Louis World’s Fair, bringing national recognition to the small city of Round Rock. The Broom Factory operated out of the building until a fire in 1911. Since then, the building has served as a general store, furniture store, skating rink, and an auto repair garage.

There are plenty of other historic buildings in Round Rock, many of which are located on Main Street. Visitors can learn more about them by reading their placards, which dive into the history and importance of each structure. There are 24 placards total, so there’s no shortage of things to learn.

Sam Bass’ Death Site

It may seem a bit morbid to treat the site of someone’s death as a tourist spot. Even so, the spot where the infamous Sam Bass was killed by Texas Rangers is one of the more popular historic spots in Round Rock.

Sam Bass was one of the most well-known train robbers in the West, especially in the Lone Star State. He spent his days robbing trains, racing horses, and gambling. He was also known for handsomely rewarding those who assisted him in escaping from the law. Bass’s most famous stunt was robbing a train of $60,000.

Over time, law enforcement started to catch up with Bass. On July 21, 1878, he was caught in Round Rock after attempting to rob a bank. He got into a gun battle with Texas Rangers outside of a saloon, and was mortally shot. Even as he was dying, Sam Bass refused to give up who else was in the gang with him. This elevated him to hero status, and his memory lives on to this day. Visitors to Old Settlers Park have the opportunity to see where this infamous Texas outlaw attempted his last crime.

Round Rock, Texas, has a bright future ahead of it, and simultaneously a storied past. When visiting Old Settlers Park, make sure to embrace the fascinating city surrounding it!