Round Rock

Established in 1850, Round Rock was named for the large round rock in the bed of Brushy Creek, and is the site of the historic St. Charles Hotel, built in 1850. Round Rock is best known as the site of the killing of the notorious outlaw, Sam Bass, who is now buried in Round Rock Cemetery. Bass’s gang plagued stagecoaches, trains and banks in the area and was the object of an intensive chase by the Texas Rangers. An informer warned the Rangers and Round Rock lawmen of a planned raid on a local bank. Bass’s gang was ambushed there on July 18, 1878. Wounded in the gun battle, Bass died two days later.