Near Georgetown in Williamson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
North Fork of the San Gabriel River
The North Fork of the San Gabriel River, part of the Brazos River system, flows east across Williamson County to join with the Middle and South forks at Georgetown. Abundant fish and wildlife attracted numerous Indian tribes to the areas along the stream in historic times. Named Rio de San Xavier by Spanish explorer and priest Fray Isidro Felix Espinosa in 1716, it was known as the San Gabriel River by the time Williamson County was created in 1848.
Anglo settlements along the river in the 1800s led to the establishment of four major crossings which took the names of families living at the sites: Booty, Russell (later Jenkins), Box, and Hunt. Located along the stream near the crossings were homes, mills, schools, churches, cemeteries, postal stations, and a gin.
Booty, Russell, and Box Crossings were inundated by the waters of Lake Georgetown, but Hunt Crossing remains above the reservoir. Planned as part of a flood control measure for the Brazos River system, a dam creating Lake Georgetown was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1979. The lake and adjoining parks and recreational facilities were opened in 1981.
Erected 1988 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9314.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1716.
Location. 30° 40.455′ N, 97° 43.408′ W. Marker is near Georgetown, Texas, in Williamson County. Marker is at the intersection of Lake Overlook Drive and Cedar Breaks Road on Lake Overlook Drive. Located at an overlook of the lake off Cedar Breaks Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Georgetown TX 78626, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Veteran's Memorial Plaza (approx. 2.9 miles away); First Baptist Church Georgetown (approx. 3 miles away); Old Georgetown Cemetery (approx. 3.3 miles away); Site of Marshall-Carver High School (approx. 3.3 miles away); Macedonia Baptist Church (approx. 3.4 miles away); Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church (approx. 3.4 miles away); San Gabriel Park (approx. 3˝ miles away); Railroad Produce Warehouse (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.
Also see . . . North Fork of the San Gabriel River Marker. Williamson County Texas History website entry (Submitted on October 13, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2008, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,770 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 17, 2008, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. 2. submitted on July 7, 2018, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.