Rocksprings

Pecos Trail Region
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WATER FROM ROCK

On the surface, nothing appears complicated about Rocksprings, a Texas Pecos Trail town along the Edwards Plateau. It’s description, circa 1892 courtesy of the Texas State Historical Association, could as easily apply today as it did over one hundred years ago – “…a hotel, a doctor, two saloons, a real estate agent, a general store, two lawyers, and a druggist.” The Historic Rocksprings Hotel, in fact, is a restored version of the original and still offers guests an ideal weekend getaway with all the modern conveniences. But dig a little deeper (literally) around Rocksprings and you’ll discover a subterranean complexity that astounds the senses. The town’s name is a nod to the underground springs that once surfaced along the surrounding rocks, indicating the presence of karst geology, a water-pocked limestone that has riddled the region with caves. Rocksprings happens to be near to one of the most remarkable caves in the state – the Devil’s Sinkhole, an enormous chamber deep underground and residence to millions of Mexican free-tailed bats. Seat of Edwards County with an impressive 1891 Courthouse, Rocksprings grew and prospered during the mid-20th century due to the wool and mohair industry and now hosts the Angora Goat Breeders Association Museum in commemoration. Synthetics and imports may have put a crimp in the domestic production of wool and mohair but area ranchers have attempted to make up the loss in hunting revenues, turning the region into buck fever central every fall.

Rocksprings

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