DRIPPING SPRINGS, TEXAS

Hays County, Texas Hill Country

30°11'31"N 98°05'07"W (30.191998, -98.085382)
US 290
25 miles W of Austin
18 Miles NW of Buda
E of Johnson City
Population: 3,140 Est. (2016)
1,788 (2010) 1,548 (2000) 1,033 (1990)

Dripping Springs Area Hotels:
San Marcos Hotels | Austin Hotels

Downtown Dripping Springs
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, June 2009

History in a Pecan Shell

A timeline of significant events in Dripping Springs’ history:

1849: a man named Fawcett is thought to be the founding settler. In the 1850s, other settlers arrived and began farming. The town became a regional center shortly before the start of the Civil War.

1857: Dripping Springs was granted their post office.

1881: The Dripping Springs Academy opened

1884: The town’s population reaches 130.

Dripping Springs was right on the road between Austin and Fredericksburg. That and its water guaranteed a prosperous future.

In the first part of the 20th century, Dripping Springs became northern Hays County’s principal town.

In the mid-1980s the population was just over 600. By 1990 its population had risen to over 1,000.

Having the word Dripping in your town’s name has contributed some amusing anecdotes over the years. Locals are used to it, but outsiders do a double-take when they read a headline stating: “Dripping Native to run for Office.”

The former Dripping Springs Academy
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, June 2009

Dripping Springs Academy historical marker
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, June 2009

Lodge, Former Dripping Springs Academy, Texas

Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, June 2009
More Texas Lodges

Dripping Springs old gas station
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, June 2009
See Texas Gas Stations

Photographer's Note:

Looks like the town is booming and new growth is swallowing up the old part of town. I can only speculate most of the growth is from nearby Austin, TX and a desire for those to live in a small town atmosphere. - William Beauchamp, June 27, 2009

Dripping Springs Chronicles

Confederate Reunion at Camp Ben McCulloch by Mike Cox
" ... The first, second, and third generations of Confederate veterans are long gone, but the annual reunion at Camp Ben McCulloch [ near Dripping Springs] marches on."

Take a road trip

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