Region: Hill Country
In 1851, William Lindsey, Gen. Edward Burleson and Eli T. Merriman bought the
Juan Vermendi tract of land along the river and laid out the town site. Legend
says Franciscan monks paddling up the Guadalupe River discovered a clear river
with large springs at its source and named the river San Marcos because the
discovery was made on St. Mark's day. Gen. Burleson followed a bill through the
Texas Legislature establishing Hays County in 1848, and San Marcos was
designated the county seat. The town was also a resting point in a three-day
stagecoach trip from Austin to San Antonio. San Marcos has evolved from a
gristmill, sawmill and cotton farming town into a modern city.
The clear, cold San Marcos River rises from mammoth springs within town;
noted for profusion of both plant and animal aquatic life, river is ranked among
the world's most fertile. White-tailed deer are numerous in Hill Country and
fishing is enjoyed year-round in the San Marcos and nearby Blanco Rivers.
The city is home to San Marcos Baptist Academy and the alma mater of Lyndon
B. Johnson, Texas State University, whose campus commands an impressive view of
city.
The historic downtown, listed in the National Register of Historic Places,
features a quaint marketplace with art, gift shops and unique restaurants. In
years past, these shops and restaurants on the square were grocery stores,
clothing stores, doctors' offices and bank buildings. In the center of town is
the restored Hays County Courthouse, and the Hays County Veterans Memorial is on
the corner of Hopkins Street and Riverside Drive.
Scuba, snorkel, fish, kayak or tube the crystal clear San Marcos River. The
water is 72 degrees year round. Rio Vista Falls, a transformed dam on the San
Marcos River, offers whitewater.
Bed-and-breakfast accommodations are offered in historic district.
The 1867 Charles S. Cock House is featured annually in the tour of homes
event the first weekend in May. Lunch is served in the cottage kitchen on
September–June 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Fri. At C.M. Allen Parkway and E. Hopkins
Street.
Shoppers find bargains on name brands daily at San Marcos Premium Outlets and
Tanger Outlet Center south on I-35 at Centerpoint Road at Exit 200. It's home to
the largest factory outlet complex in the state.