Round Rock, Texas, located just north of Austin in Williamson County, is a city with a history that stretches from early Native American trails to its modern role as a thriving suburb and tech hub. Its growth has been shaped by geography, pioneering settlers, cattle drives, cotton farming, historic gunfights, and later, the arrival of the interstate highway system and large corporations. Today, Round Rock is one of Central Texas’s fastest-growing communities, but its roots remain firmly tied to its fascinating past.
Round Rock, Texas, located just north of Austin in Williamson County, is a city with a history that stretches from early Native American trails to its modern role as a thriving suburb and tech hub. Its growth has been shaped by geography, pioneering settlers, cattle drives, cotton farming, historic gunfights, and later, the arrival of the interstate highway system and large corporations. Today, Round Rock is one of Central Texas’s fastest-growing communities, but its roots remain firmly tied to its fascinating past.
Before European settlers arrived, the Round Rock area was traversed by Native-American tribes who used the fertile land and waterways as part of seasonal migration and trade. Some of the modern paved roads in Round Rock still follow these original paths. One of the most famous trails was the Double File Trail, so named because it was wide enough for two horsemen to ride side by side. This trail stretched from North Texas down through Georgetown, across Brushy Creek in Round Rock, and south toward Austin’s Colorado River.
In 1851, a small settlement was established along Brushy Creek. At the center of this community stood a large, anvil-shaped limestone rock in the middle of the creek. This natural landmark created a shallow, reliable crossing point for wagons, cattle, and horses, making it a vital transportation and trade site. Originally named “Brushy,” the settlement was renamed Round Rock in 1854 at the suggestion of the postmaster, honoring the prominent rock that had guided travelers and traders.
After the Civil War, Round Rock became an important waypoint on the Chisholm Trail, the legendary cattle drive route that carried herds from South Texas north to railheads in Kansas. The trail passed directly across Brushy Creek at the round rock itself. Thousands of longhorns moved through the area, shaping Round Rock’s role as a hub for cowboys, traders, and settlers. To honor this heritage, the city later developed Chisholm Trail Crossing Park, where visitors can see bronze sculptures depicting pioneer woman Hattie Cluck, her son Emmitt, and longhorn cattle. These works commemorate Round Rock’s role in the great cattle drives of the 19th century.
Round Rock also earned a place in Wild West history through its association with Sam Bass, the notorious train robber. On July 19, 1878, Bass and his gang were tracked to Round Rock after robbing the Fort Worth-to-Cleburne train. In a dramatic gunfight downtown, Bass was mortally wounded by Texas Rangers George Herold and Sergeant Richard Ware. Sheriff’s Deputy A.W. Grimes lost his life in the exchange, and the confrontation became known locally as the Sam Bass Shootout. Today, Sam Bass is buried in Round Rock Cemetery, and his story lives on through annual reenactments at the city’s Frontier Days Celebration each July. His headstone is also displayed at the Round Rock Public Library as a reminder of the town’s Wild West legacy.
In the early 1900s, Round Rock thrived as an agricultural community. The rich blackland prairie soil, known locally as “black waxy” soil, proved ideal for cotton farming. Cotton became Williamson County’s dominant crop, alongside row crops, grapes, and truck farming. East of Round Rock, in the town of Taylor, the cotton industry flourished with large gins that processed and shipped the crop by rail. Meanwhile, ranchers west of the Balcones Divide raised cattle, sheep, and goats. Cotton and cattle provided the economic backbone for Round Rock for much of the first half of the 20th century, with traces of that agricultural life still visible today.
In 1904, a group of Confederate veterans and pioneer descendants held the first reunion of the Old Settlers Association of Williamson County. Promising “good music, plenty to eat, and a warm welcome,” the event became a beloved annual tradition. Eventually, the reunions were moved to Round Rock, where permanent facilities were built in the Palm Valley area. The Old Settlers Association still exists today, preserving history, hosting events, and maintaining log cabins and gathering spaces. Its connection to Old Settlers Park ensures that Round Rock’s pioneer spirit remains celebrated.
One of the most transformative moments in Round Rock’s history came in the 1950s with the construction of Interstate 35. Originally proposed to run through Taylor—then the economic powerhouse of Williamson County—local opposition shifted the route to Round Rock. Round Rock leaders, including Mayor Louis Henna, lobbied for the interstate, recognizing its potential for commerce and growth. The decision changed the course of local history: Taylor declined with the fading cotton industry, while Round Rock grew rapidly, its economy bolstered by new accessibility and commercial development. Although the highway split the original “Old Town” from the newer downtown area, it positioned Round Rock as a future hub for business and suburban expansion.
By the 1990s, Round Rock had become a classic Austin suburb, with most residents commuting south for work while enjoying more affordable housing in Williamson County. For a time, the city’s economy was still centered on retail, farming, and ranching. This began to shift dramatically when Dell Technologies established its global headquarters in Round Rock, bringing thousands of jobs and cementing the city’s role in the tech-driven economy of Central Texas. Dell’s presence not only transformed Round Rock’s job market but also spurred rapid residential and commercial growth, reshaping it into the thriving city it is today.
Despite its explosive growth, Round Rock remains deeply connected to its past. Sites like Chisholm Trail Crossing Park, the Palm House Museum, and the annual Sam Bass reenactments ensure that history is celebrated, not forgotten. Meanwhile, organizations like the Old Settlers Association keep alive the pioneer traditions that shaped the community. From its origins as a low-water crossing by a round limestone rock, to its place on the cattle trails and its role in the Wild West, to its transformation into a suburban and economic powerhouse, Round Rock’s history is a remarkable story of resilience, adaptation, and growth.