On our recent trip to South Texas, down Highway 281, our route took us through Lampasas, which is the county seat of none other than Lampasas County. If you believe the hype that the local Chamber of Commerce distributes, “there’s always something going on in Lampasas.” We didn’t see a thing happening except down at the local Dairy Queen.
To be fair it was the middle of the week, on a hot summer day, in a small Texas town, and we were in a hurry. We decided to stop long enough to take a picture of the local courthouse.
Courthouse, Lampasas, Texas
The front entry of Lampasas County Courthouse
On every side of the courthouse, there are historical markers commemorating the rough and tumble frontier days. I came away with the impression that this area had a lot of gunfights, feuds, and brawls, but probably there was no more than any other area of the Wild West.
I’ve decided I’ll have to wander back that way when I have time on my hands, because I know that Lampasas has more going for it than the brief glimpse I saw. The website for the city of Lampasas lists several events that they have. Perhaps I will go in July for the Spring Ho Festival. It’s probably innocuous, but the name is … suggestive. I doubt that I will attend their Hunter’s Welcome festival in November, since I’m not fond of shooting “Bambi.” One thing is certain: the town should never try to combine the two festivals. Spring Ho Hunters Welcome might attract the wrong crowd!
The one thing that stuck with me, so to speak, is a snippet on a historical marker about the name of the town. The Lampasas River runs through the area, and some folks say that “Lampasas” was taken from a Spanish name for the cockle burrs that are prominent in the area. I couldn’t find anything else about that on-line, but one short walk in the grass around there and I believe them.
Related posts:
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, I’m from Lampasas! Stumbled upon your blog today. Thought I’d let you know a little bit about town.
Despite what the chamber will tell you, there is usually absolutely nothing going on. However, Spring Ho is something worth coming around for. It’s a week-long festival that began in the seventies to celebrate the Sulphur Springs that are sprinkled through town and throughout the county. There’s a beauty pageant, a big fireworks show, carnival, craft show vendors, and a parade that is, from what I hear, one of the biggest festival parades in Texas.
Also, if you’re in town, be sure to stop by Storm’s Drive-In. It’s the local hamburger joint/hangout. They also use extra syrup to make the best soft drinks you will ever taste. I recommend the Cherry Dr. Pepper and the Big Red.The restraunt was also frequented by Elvis once upon a time.
There’s a lot of history in town, mostly centered around fighting with Indians. There is little cemetery along the highway that contains the grave a boy who was scalped by Indians, something my friends and I found fascinating when we were kids. If you’re interested, there’s a little museum downtown that could tell you more.
Glad you enjoyed passing through town, and hope you come back sometime!
Oh, Katie, your comment gave me the giggles! I hope you know I wasn’t making fun of the town … but a “Ho” festival of any kind sounds “racy” to me
.
I had no clue that Elvis hung out around there! So, can I get a fried peanut butter & banana sandwich there?
I’ll be back through again, because Highway 281 is my “corridor” to south Texas. I don’t take I35 if I can help it. Your neck of the woods is just too beautiful.
Thanks for stopping by.
I live in a little town like Lampasas. It is a pleasure to live here…couldn’t stand too much excitement.
I was just thinking this morning about where the term “A burr under his saddle” came from. Maybe Lampasas Texas.
Sheila
Sheila´s last blog ..How To Attend A Webinar- Only The Good Friday
Could be Lampasas, but I haven’t confirmed that cockleburr is what the name means
. I imagine though, that in the wild west if you took a saddle and put it on the ground it would get a burr stuck to it. That would certainly “rile” a horse!
I love your traveling through Texas stories! The courthouse building is beautiful. I like the ides of the historical markers on the side of the buildings. Did you take any pics of those? I’m curious. Here on the sides of buildings we have graffiti. Not quite the same thing.
Jessica The Rock Chick´s last blog ..Feeling Neglected?
I’m glad you like ‘em. The courthouse is lovely, though not my favorite of all. I take pics of the historical markers, but they don’t make a good photo. Usually it’s just so I can remember what it said
. Hey, I’ve seen some fun graffiti…and think about it: you know all those marking on caves from pre-historic times? THAT was cave-man graffiti! I wonder if it was teenagers that did it?
Alright, I’m back.
The name Lampasas is a mystery, really. There are several stories as to where it came from. I’ve heard the cockleburr one before, but there are two others that are a bit more common. Some think that Lampasas was an Indian word for the in town sulphur springs, which were revered for their healing powers. Others say Lampasas came from an Indian name for the lillies that used to grow along the banks of the creeks around here.
Either way, Lampasas was originally called Burleson, named after the first white guy that settled here.
I’ll take your word for it. I couldn’t find a Spanish translation for cockleburr, so I’m just going to trust you