This morning in our Homeschool Field Trips in or around DFW: Round Rock is full of HISTORICAL PARKS & TRAILS that I thought you and your students and also your friends and family would enjoy checking out. You should start your walk at Round Rock Visitors Center.
If your visiting Round Rock from Fort Worth/ Dallas you might want to plan a overnight visit because Round Rock is 171 miles · Light traffic · 2 hr 33 min from Fort Worth. Although, if you left Fort Worth early in the morning you could do it as a Day Trip.
Round Rock was originally named Brushy because Round Rock was a settlement located near the banks of Brushy Creek. This area, now known as Old Town, grew despite constant flooding. After the International and Great Northern Railroad arrived in 1876, the commercial area of Round Rock was forced to move to the East, creating what is now New Town Round Rock. Today, Old Town Round Rock has historical interest, and several businesses have been restored for visitors to visist.
For more nformation on Old Town Round Rock, click here.
Chisholm Trail Crossing Park
Grab your walking shoes, a bottle of water and your Pedometer and walk along history along the Chisholm Trail located by Brushy Creek. This trail ran from Kansas South to the Rio Grande this area was used to drive Cattle overland in the late 1800s. Visit Chisholm Trail Crossing Park during your visit, where you can see bronzed sculptures and figures that depict life along the Chisholm Trail.
The Round Rock
The famous “round rock” is located near Chisholm Trail Road in the middle of Brushy Creek. This ancient boulder was so significant they named Round Rock after it in 1854. The round limestone rock once marked a convenient low-water crossing for wagons, Horses, and Cattle. If you look closely at it, you can see wheel imprints from wagons that crossed Brushy Creek back in the day.
Firehouse Museum
Get a Firehose blast from the past at the Firehouse Museum. The Old Settlers Association and Fraternal Order of the Round Rock Volunteer Fire Department welcome guests to the Firehouse Museum to view vintage fire engines and equipment from 1884 and beyond.
Williamson County Old Settlers Association
The Old Settlers Association of Williamson County is located off Palm Valley Boulevard which is a history hub for visitors. Williamson County Old Settlers Association was organized to gather fragments of history and perpetuate them for future generations. here you can see the Rice’s Crossing Store, historic cabins, and the Palm Mansion.
Folklore Legends
. There is a famous legend in Round Rock, known as the mysterious hairy man. Legend has it a young boy became separated from a settlers caravan one stormy night. For years he lived amongst nature as a Hermit and terrorized anyone who entered his domain. To this day, travelers swear they have seen a large hairy man lurking in the bushes near Hairy Man Road. Are you ready to see if you can locate the Hairy Man?
For a walking guide of the Great Round Rock Shootout, click here.
Round Rock Cemetery
The Round Rock Cemetery offers a wide variety of stories from people from all walks of life. Including the famous train robber, Sam Bass, is buried in the Round Rock Cemetery which is at the entrance on the North Side of Sam Bass Road. Also check out the Slavery burial ground in this Round Rock Cemetery.
Round Rock Memorial Park
I would like to ask you to come honor history at Round Rock Memorial Park which is a centrally-located community park near Brushy Creek. In here is a path running along with it and throughout the park, there are informative plaques and a commemorative WWII torpedo.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
