
Visit their site to learn more about their programs and sign up for a guided tour. The native tribes still maintain their covenant with the sacred sites through the Indigenous Cultures Institute. After following a deer through the underworld, they took on their human form when they emerged as people from the fountain springs of San Marcos. Natives explain that when they were in their pre-human spirit form, they do not really know what they looked like. This is the creation site of the Coahuiltecan Indian tribes. Of all the springs and sites that would be visited on this pilgrimage, the San Marcos Springs are key. One of its functions was serving as a guide for a sacred pilgrimage that people would endeavour to undertake at least once in their lives. Natives believe the painting depicts San Marcos and other Edwards springs as part of a sacred geography, and the panel is nothing less than the earliest map of Texas. In the Lower Pecos region of southwest Texas there is a 4,000 year old cave painting known as the White Shaman panel. The San Marcos Springs are central to the spirituality of native American tribes in south central Texas. The main spillway is adjacent to a restaurant where one can dine atop the dam. Springs is at the two spillways at the southwest end of Spring Lake. The best place to see the tremendous discharge of the Three larger ones are Weismuller (c), Installation or Pipe (d), and Deep The graphic shows the locations of the various groups of Springs.

In the eddies of the stream, water cresses and Occasionally an alligator may be seen sporting in its chrystal On an average, with a curant of not less than ten or fifteen

The South Licking, it is about 60 feet wide and 3 feet deep This stream in the course of a year is greater than that by Persuaded that the quantity of water which is carried off by Springs, it is unaffected by the dryest season. Stones are thrown up, as you've seen grains of sand in small May see down in the chasm from whence the water issues. I am told that by approaching it in canoe, you The water is thrown two or three feet above the surface of wide, the water 15 or 20įeet deep, yet so strong is the ebulition of the spring, that These, the first you see in going up the stream, is near theĬenter, the channel is here 40 yds. These springs gush from the foot of a high cliff andīoil up as from a well in the middle of the channel. They are not less than 50 in a distance of 200 yds.) I everīeheld. Narrow and deep, there is the finest spring of springs (for We crossed the Blanco, a mountain torent of purest water, A graphic picture of their original condition was written in 1846 by William A. Another Indian term for the area was Canaquedista, meaning "headwaters" ( Foster, 1995). In historical times, the Cantona Indians called the Springs Canocanayesatetlo, meaning "warm water" ( Hatcher, 1932). Sediment cores indicate that humans lived here 11,500 years ago, and there is evidence the area has been occupied during every known period of human habitation in Central Texas ( Bousman and Nickels, 2003). Many archaeologists believe the area around the Springs is one of the oldest continually inhabited site in North America (Shiner, 1983). The Springs and the short 3.8 mile San Marcos River below them have been designated as critical habitat for five endangered species, including the Fountain Darter, the Texas Blind Salamander, the San Marcos Salamander, the San Marcos gambusia, and Texas Wild Rice.

Today, the Springs lie at the bottom of Spring Lake and are viewed through the floor of glass-bottomed boats.

Early travelers and settlers described the large ones as fountains, gushing water several feet above the surface of the stream they created. More than 200 springs burst forth from three large fissures and many smaller openings. Again this year, activities will include holiday performances, the popular Bethlehem venue, Santa’s Retreat, Santa’s Gift Shop Booths, carnival rides, many different food vendors, children’s activities and, of course, thousands of spectacular lights.One of the greatest outflows from the Edwards Aquifer is the San Marcos Springs. The Sights and Sounds of Christmas event has consistently been voted the Best Event in Hays County and we expect upwards of 60,000 people to partake in the festivities on the beautiful banks of the historic San Marcos River. We are proud of our Christmas wonderland and hope that you will spend this special time with us in 2018. Traditionally, Sights and Sounds of Christmas marks the official opening of the Christmas Season here in San Marcos. The dates for 2018 are November 28-December 1st and December 5-8th. Please join us for the 33rd annual Sights & Sounds of Christmas! There was big changes in our 31st year- the biggest being was we EXTENDED TO TWO WEEKENDS.
