Springs of Travis County, Texas

This is a compendium of information on springs in Travis County, Texas, especially those with prehistoric or historic links to Texas Native Americans. Information is based primarily on Gunnar Brune’s report to the Texas Water Development Board, “Major and Historical Springs of Texas”, and his book, Springs of Texas. Additional sources are cited with associated springs.

As Brune noted in his report to the Texas Water Development Board, “Springs have been very important to Texas from the time of its first inhabitants. Many battles were fought between the pioneers and Indians for possession of springs”. Understanding these springs is important to understanding Travis County from the perspective of those first inhabitants, the Texas Indians: where they camped, the trails they used.

Springs are listed alphabetically.

Barton Springs refers to at least five groups of springs, including Upper, Main, Upper Left Bank, Lower Left Bank, and Old Mill or Walsh Spring (the farthest downstream). This was a gathering place for the Caddo, Tonkawa, Apache and Comanche Indians. An old Comanche Indian trail from Bandera County to Nacogdoches, Texas passed here. The early settlers had a trading post at the springs. Early Spanish explorers wrote that in 1714 wild horses were numerous. Three Spanish missions were located here from 1730 to 1731. Early in the 1880's a fort was located at the springs. This was also a stop on the Chisholm Trail from 1867 to 1895. Located at 2201 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, TX. (30.2638194, -97.7713947)

Brune’s report says these include at least seven springs. Many Indian projectile points and tools have been found at the springs and in Bat Cave downstream and Bee Cave just upstream. An old Comanche Indian trail from Bandera County to Nacogdoches, Texas passed the springs. Only two springs are now above the level of Lady Bird Lake. Brune says the springs are near Valley Springs Road (a bit upstream from Deep Eddy Pool) in Austin (30.2799298,- 97.7800062).

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