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Although Tonkawan Indians were constantly present, the Lampasas area saw a constant shifting of Indian cultures in the 16th and 17th century as different groups moved in and out of the area to take advantage of its abundant supply of game.  Spanish missionaries arrived in the area as early as the 15th century.  In the 1750's, the Franciscan Fathers established the San Gabriel mission approximately 60 miles east of Lampasas near the present site of Rockdale.

The establishment of the San Gabriel mission appears to account for the origin of the name "Lampasas."  Historian R.A Wright Jr. explains this likely connection:

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The sponsoring organization for the Franciscan missions was the college of Santa Cruz de Queretaro, a city and state in Mexico of like name.  The college had a mission in Lampazos, Mexico, in the state of Nuevo de Leon which had just been secularized.  The fathers wished to establish another mission to take its place and suggested that the San Gabriel Mission be chosen.  It is an assumption, but perhaps an interested soldier or missionary of the many expeditions originating out of the Queretarian College wished to name an ever — flowing stream of Central Texas in honor of his home town, Lampazos, Mexico.  Approximately 100 years later, the name Lampasas became a real location."     

Around 1855, a certain Mrs. Hughes was miraculously healed by the waters of Lampasas Springs and the news, which had been a common belief among Indians for years, spread rapidly.  Sensing an opportunity, major landowners G.W. and Elizabeth Scott began to promote Lampasas as the "Saratoga of the South" and offered lots priced between $5.00 and $12.50.   Lampasas' new notoriety lead to rapid growth. Then, few months before 1856, citizens of Lampasas Springs requested that Lampasas County be created, and in March of '56, the first officers of the county were elected. 

Disasters plagued Lampasas in it's early days, and fires and floods were common.  Though many of the townshops.jpgold buildings didn't, the spirit of the community survived these catastrophes, and Lampasas would eventually prevail as a cultural and economical center.  The first of these disasters came in the 1870s just as the county was beginning to flourish.  The county courthouse was destroyed by fire in the middle of the night on December 24, 1871 — taking with it numerous invaluable documents and county records.  The courthouse was rebuilt in a new location, only to be swept away in the waters of a flood in 1873. Through all this, Lampasas continued and finally in 1882, a major change came roaring into town in the form of a passenger train that linked Lampasas to the coastal city of Galveston.  The city entered a construction boom, building saloons and schools, bathing springs, even an Opera House.  The first private Springs were built then by the Hanna family, with a crude open pool and bath houses heated by portable boilers.  People came from all over to sample the healing spring water, now for the first time a commercial business.  Lampasas earned the title "Saratoga of the South."

In 1883, yet another new courthouse was built. The cornerstone was filled with coins, papers, badges, and a bible, and marked a new era for Lampasas County.  The famous Park Hotel was built, a 200 room mansion that contained bathing pools, dressing rooms, offices, concession areas, even an orchestra on the first floor alone!  Today the building is no longer there, but the surrounding park and concrete pools can still be seen. Hancock Springs Pool, which was constructed in 1911 as a free flow swim area, is still open to the public. In keeping with it's booming community, in 1884 Lampasas was selected as the location for the 1892 Democratic State Convention — an event that would draw thousands of people to the town.  At the same time in '84, the famous courthouse clock was installed, marking a prosperous year for Lampasas county. 

However, disaster struck yet again in 1884 as fires engulfed the downtown, leaving some 40 businesses in ashes.  This prompted the city to acquire its very first fire engine — a rickety old horse-drawn carriage that would not be enough to save the beautiful Opera House from it's death in 1887. 

By the 1900's, though, Lampasas had sprung back yet again and now was a bustling town with an electrical plant, a telephone system, water works, and a population of almost 9,000 in the county.  Even in the midst of the Great Depression Lampasas pushed onward, establishing a new electric system, a sewer system, a highly recognized hospital, and various improvements the the schools. Fort Hood was established near the outskirts of the city in 1942 with the onset of World War II.

Finally, after several more devastating floods and fires, Lampasas initiated a program of flood control, and acquired a fire-engine station.  In 1966, an airport was built to the north of town.

Later 1900s however, meant big changes for the county, as so many of it's old buildings and activities were now just history.  It was then in 1971 that the Chamber of Commerce organized the very first Spring Ho, featuring water sports, arts and craft shows, horse shows, music, dancing, food, and talent shows.   This event became a Lampasas tradition and continues today.  Through all these changes, Lampasas is still the close, energetic community it was when it was first established.  Even today, visitors can go see the Courthouse clock — keeping perfect time after so many years — and enjoy the exciting and relaxing of Lampasas, "Saratoga of the South."