Bug's Guidebook to Texas.

[Bugman]

San Marcos is in Hays County about 30 miles south of Austin.

The first Anglo settlers arrived in 1846 and the county was organized in 1848. One of the early founders of San Marcos was Gen. Edward Burleson, a hero of the Texas Revolution and former vice president of the Republic of Texas. In 1851 plans for a town square were drawn up and Burleson built a dam on the San Marcos River. Several mills were built on the river and the town became a center for milling and ginning.

In 1870 the population was 741 and by 1880 had grown to over 2,000. The International Great Northern Railroad arrived in 1881. This spurred a boom in cattle and cotton, which became the drivers of the economy.

During WW II a light manufacturing base supported the war effort and in 1942 Gary Army Air Field opened east of town. First a training base for Army Air Corps navigators, after the war the mission shifted to training helicopter pilots and was renamed Gary AFB in 1947. The base was closed in 1963.

Today San Marcos is home to around 60,000 residents including the 34,000 students enrolled at Texas State University.

 

[Bugman]

San Marcos Springs are the headwaters of the San Marcos River, and one of the gems of Central Texas. Artifacts found in and along the springs and river show evidence of continuous human habitation dating back over 10,000 years, one of the oldest sites in North America. A.B. Rogers bought the land in 1926, then built a resort hotel in 1928. Construction of the Aquarena Springs Amusement Park began in 1951. Two of the star attractions were Ralph the Swimming Pig and the Mermaid Show. The shows could be observed above and below water in a glass sided submarine.

 

[Bugman]

In the face of dwindling attendance the park was sold to Texas State University in 1996 and closed a few years later, with the goal of returning the springs to its natural state. Nothing remains of the park today.

The resort hotel today houses the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.

 

[milagros317]

Fascinating history, Bugman. Thanks for the photos and the stories. 😀

 

[Bugman]

Fascinating history, Bugman. Thanks for the photos and the stories. 😀

Glad you enjoyed them. I have more pictures and a few videos to post, just got interrupted.

 

[Bugman]

Some random pictures.

 

[Bugman]

Some examples of artifacts found in and around the springs and two pictures taken from the centers rooftop terrace.

 

[Bugman]

When A.B. Rogers opened his resort in 1928 he introduced a small fleet of glass bottom boats; they were later used by the amusement park. After the parks demise the best of the lot were refurbished and are still in use today.

 

[Bugman]

You can choose 30 or 45 minute boat tours. These videos were taken earlier this year and due to the heat I took the shorter tour. This is my first attempt at shooting video so be nice. 😉