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1893 Map of Rock Springs

Name: 1893 Topographic Map of Rock Springs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1949
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1949

About this map

The Edwards Plateau ranching landscape of the 1890s is defined here by a network of isolated homesteads and essential water sources across Sutton, Kimble, and Edwards counties. Settlers established operations near seasonal and permanent waters, including Eight Mile Water Hole, Ten Mile Water Hole, and McKenzie Lake, reflecting the critical importance of hydrology in this semi-arid environment. The town of Rock Springs serves as the primary hub in the south, while the northern reaches are dominated by family-named holdings like Stegalls Ranch and Wentworth Ranch.

The terrain is dissected by the North Llano River and South Llano River, with significant landmarks such as Devils Sink Hole and Cedar Knob providing distinct navigation points. The absence of railroads at this time underscores the region's reliance on overland draws and trails, such as Ten Mile Draw and Live Oak Draw, for movement between the disparate ranches like Bonds Ranch and Hegermans Ranch.