Round Rock, TX news and local guide

In 1851 a small community formed on the banks of Brushy Creek near a large, round, anvil-shaped rock in the creek bed that marked a handy low-water crossing for wagons, horses and cattle. The first postmaster called the place Brushy, but in 1854, at the postmaster's suggestion, it was renamed Round Rock for the rock. After the Civil War, Jesse Chisholm drove cattle from South Texas through Round Rock toward Abilene, Kansas, and the route, which crossed Brushy Creek at the round rock, became known as the Chisholm Trail. Many old buildings, including the Saint Charles Hotel, survive in the area now called Old Town. On July 19, 1878, downtown Round Rock was the scene of a gunfight between Texas Rangers and the train robber Sam Bass, whom they had followed after his gang robbed the Fort Worth-to-Cleburne train. As Bass tried to escape he was shot by Ranger George Herold and Sergeant Richard Ware, and he died of his wounds. Sheriff's Deputy A.W. Grimes was killed in the shootout. Sources Wikipedia: Round Rock, Texas