SAN MARCOS — The San Marcos River is loved by many in Hays County; however, some may be unfamiliar with its rich history and specifics. As a result, Miranda Wait, deputy director of Spring Lake education at The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, shared her knowledge in hopes to inspire those to love and protect the water source a little stronger.
Geographically, the naturally-occurring, spring-fed river’s history begins long ago, said Wait, when there was simply an ocean, until a giant earthquake occurred, forming the Hill Country. The humans came later, but still inhabited the location for centuries, spanning back 12,000-13,000 years ago, confirmed by Clovis points found by archeologists in the area. These are stone spearheads known to be crafted by Paleo-Americans — some of the oldest humans in North America, Wait explained.
Spring Lake is the river’s headwaters, serving as a direct connection to the San Marcos Springs. Located on the historical Spanish route El Camino Real de los Tejas, or the King’s Highway, this and the area surrounding it is one of the nation’s “persistently inhabited places,” as there weren’t any settlements in the area for a long period of time, but travelers and traders often visited, due to the water source.
