🕰️ Explore Round Rock’s History with the Historic Landmarks Explorer
Round Rock’s history runs deep — and now, exploring it has never been easier. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, the Historic Landmarks Explorer is your interactive guide to discovering the stories, buildings, and people that shaped Round Rock, Texas.
Launched in 2022, this free, easy-to-use online map highlights more than 100 historic sites, landmarks, and markers across the city. From the heart of Historic Downtown Round Rock to hidden gems tucked away in quiet neighborhoods, the Explorer offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s rich architectural and cultural heritage.
👉 View the Historic Landmarks Explorer
Discover Round Rock’s Historic Downtown
Many of the sites featured on the map date back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, with Downtown Round Rock serving as the centerpiece. Along East Main Street and South Mays Street, visitors can admire beautifully preserved limestone buildings such as:
- 🏛️ Old Broom Factory
- 🧱 Otto Reinke Building
- 📬 Masonic Lodge / Old Post Office
These structures showcase the distinctive craftsmanship that defined early commercial architecture in Central Texas.
Step Inside Round Rock’s Historic Homes
The Explorer also highlights architecturally significant homes that tell the story of the city’s growth and changing styles. Be sure to check out:
- 🏠 Nelson-Crier House (Woodbine Mansion) – a stately, columned landmark now hosting community events and celebrations.
- 🪶 Capt. Nelson Merrell House – representing Round Rock’s early residential charm.
- 🌾 Palm House Museum – Round Rock’s oldest building on Main Street, relocated from the Palm Valley area and preserved as a piece of pioneer history.
Learn the Stories Behind the Landmarks
With the Historic Landmarks Explorer, you’ll uncover how the arrival of the railroad spurred the growth of “New Town” (now Downtown Round Rock), how building facades evolved through the decades, and how national design trends — like pressed tin fronts in the early 1900s — left their mark on local architecture.
Historical markers across the city share insights about key people, places, and events that helped define Round Rock, including:
- ⚔️ Sam Bass Death Site – where the infamous outlaw met his end in 1878.
- 🚌 Baylor Bus Crash Memorial – honoring those lost in a tragic 1927 event.
- 🪨 The “Round Rock” – the very rock that marked a low-water crossing along the Chisholm Trail and gave the city its name.
Explore, Learn, and Experience Round Rock History
The Historic Landmarks Explorer is the perfect tool for history buffs, students, and anyone looking for unique things to do in Round Rock, TX. Whether you’re exploring in person or online, you’ll discover stories that connect Round Rock’s past to its vibrant present.
