Enchanted Rock - History

History

Timeline of Enchanted Rock History
Date Event
1838
  • March 16, Anavato and Maria Martinez issued headright grant ownership
1841
  • James Robinson, Texas politician, acquires property
1844
  • James W. Robinson sells to Samuel Maverick, lawyer, politician and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
  • Samuel Maverick has the land surveyed for minerals.
1880–1881
  • Samuel Maverick's widow sells to N. P. P. Browne
1886
  • N. P. P. Browne sells to John R. Moss
  • John R. Moss sells to J. D. Slator
1895
  • J.D. Slator sells to two ranching brothers C. T. and A. F. Moss
1927
  • C.T. Moss's son Tate Moss inherits and opens to tourism
1946
  • Tate Moss sells to Albert Faltin, who later sells a half interest to Llano rancher Charles H. Moss, C. T.'s grandson
1970
  • Declared a National Natural Landmark.
1978
  • Charles H. and Ruth Moss, by then having full rights, decide to sell the rock. First offer goes to the Texas Parks and Wildlife who are unable to afford the asking price.
  • March 1, The Nature Conservancy, a private concern based in Arlington, Virginia, at the behest of Lady Bird Johnson, acquires the property for $1.3 million, and agrees to act as interim owner until State of Texas can take over, thus guaranteeing that the area will not be open to private development.
  • March 7, The Nature Conservancy, deeds the land to the State of Texas with the agreement that Moss will continue to operate it until June 1 of that year. United States Secretary of the Interior Cecil D. Andrus tells Governor Dolph Briscoe that a Federal land and water conservation grant will be made available for purchase of the area when matched by state funds.
1984
  • The State of Texas opens it as Enchanted Rock State Natural Area after adding facilities.
  • Enchanted Rock added to the National Register of Historic Places

Archaeological evidence indicates human visitation at the rock going back at least 11,000 years.

According to the book The Enchanted Rock published in 1999 by Ira Kennedy

These hunter-gatherers had flint-tipped spears, fire, and stories. With these resources, some twelve thousand years ago, the first Texans became the wellspring of Plains Indian culture. On the basis of archaeological evidence, human habitation at Enchanted Rock can be traced back at least 10,000 years. Paleo-Indian projectile points, or arrowheads, 11-12,000 years old have been found in the area upstream and downstream from The Rock. The oldest authenticated projectile point found within the present day park is a Plainview point type, dating back 10,000 years.

The rock has been the subject of numerous geological surveys and paintings.

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