San Marcos Texas Photo Tour

See our other photo tours: San Marcos Texas Downtown, Belvin Street Historic District, San Antonio Street Historic District, Aquarena Springs & San Marcos River, Texas State University

John C. Hays Statue

San Marcos Square

Legendary Texas Ranger and namesake of Hays County 1817 - 1883; amazingly, only lived in Texas for 13 years; Young Flacco, the Lippan Apache chief who rode as Hays' closest comrade on his early forays against the Comanche, described him best: "Me and Red Wing aren't afraid to go to hell together. Captain Jack, he's too mucho bravo. He's not afraid to go to hell all by himself."

 Important military actions: Plum Creek, Canon de Ugalde, Bandera Pass, Painted Rock, Enchanted Rock, Salado, and Walker’s Creek. Left Texas for California; served four years as sheriff of San Francisco County, President Franklin Pierce appointed him surveyor general of California in 1853. Delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1876.

Elected sheriff of San Francisco County in 1850. Became one of the founders of the city of Oakland, California. Ran successful enterprises in real estate and ranching. Died on April 21st, 1883, and is buried in California. Hays made frequent trips back to Texas, but died near Piedmont, California on April 25, 1883. Hays County in South Central Texas, was created in 1848 and named in his honor.

San Marcos River

Springs "first" discovered by Alonso de Leon's men on St. Mark's Day in 1689 as they searched for LaSalle and again by members of the Espinosa-Olivares-Aguirre expedition in 1709; watering place for native Americans for the past 12,000 years; the El Camino Real crosses the San Marcos River just east of San Marcos where the Spanish first settled called Villa San Marcos de Neve; area later settled by General Edward Burleson in 1844

Aquarena Springs

Oldest continuously inhabited place in North America; coninuously inhabited for the past 12,000 years; dam constructed just below the head waters of Aquarena Springs in 1849 by Gen. Burleson; past home of the Aquamaids and Ralph the Swimming Pig...those were the days!  Photo (left) shows many different fissures from which more than 120 million gallons of fresh water surface from the Edwards Aquifer DAILY at constant temperature of 72 degrees; operated for most of the past 100 years as local theme park; currently owned by Texas State University

Spring Lake

Aquarena Springs

View of the lake just above the dam area

The Lime Kiln

.....as in Lime Kiln Road

You can drive down Lime Kiln Road a thousand times and never know that it's actually still there.  Restored somewhat in the mid-90s by a local Eagle Scout.  Site formerly owned by General Edward Burleson.  Lime Kiln erected circa 1887, ceasing operation 1910.  Lime was used to whitewash buildings, to condition soil, treat animal hides and leather, and for plaster and mortar. Contributing to the decline of the lime industry was the higher cost of fuel, the gradual depletion of the quality of limestone, the depression, which paralyzed the building industry, and changing markets. Chemical and industrial firms replaced farmers and builders as the chief users of lime.

San Marcos River just above Aquarena Springs Drive

Aquarena Springs Dam/Mill

University Drive West

Texas State University begins on right side of photo.  House on right is the Texas State University Alumni House.

University Drive East

Alvin Ord's Sandwich Shop

San Marcos Downtown

Pound for pound, some of the best sandwiches this side of the Rio Grande.

Herbert's Taco Hut

419 Riverside Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666-6934

512.353.9323

if you're looking for where the locals go to get the best Mexican food in town...Herbert's Taco Hut is the place.

Some things...you should never leave home without.

Green Parrot

San Marcos Square

Cafe on the Square & Brew Pub

San Marcos Square

Hill Country Humidor

San Marcos Square

Valentino's

San Marcos Square

For pizza with a typical San Marcos flair...Valentino's is the place

Gordo's Grill

San Marcos Square

Nephews

San Marcos Square

(512) 558-2337
100 N Guadalupe

San Marcos, Texas 78666
 

Dillinger's

San Marcos Square

The Coffee Pot / Tap Room Pub & Club

San Marcos Square

The Draft Choice

San Marcos Square

AllNiter Diner

San Marcos Square

Recently remodeled and converted

San Marcos Square

Tin Lizzie's Cafe

Paper Bear Gift Shop

San Marcos Square

Wonder World Park

Wonder Cave

First established in 1903, Wonder Cave has been visited by millions of families worldwide.  A local favorite and tourist destination for nearly a century.  Great for family visits.  Tremedous view of the San Marcos area from the Tejas 100' tower; also visit the wildlife park; cave formed by Balcones fault line fissure; interior view of Balcones fault line

View up LBJ toward Texas State University

San Marcos Downtown

View east down LBJ

San Marcos Square

Hays County Abstract

San Marcos Square

Accent Lighting Designs

San Marcos Square

Very helpful lighting and design staff; offers wide array of lighting products for just about any occasion

Hays County Court House

San Marcos Square

San Marcos Title Company

San Marcos Square

Hays County Court House Annex

San Marcos Square

Tanger Outlet Center

Prime Outlets - San Marcos