Near Wimberley in Hays County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Jacob's Well Natural Area
A Historic Destination
Photographed by James Hulse, March 21, 2022
1. Jacob's Well Natural Area Marker
Inscription.
Native Americans
There were three prominent Indian tribes that roamed the area surrounding Jacob's Well: the Tonkawa, the Jumano and later the Comanche. Early settlers eventually pushed out the Comanche. These groups were semi-nomadic, and as a result, little evidence remains today.
The Early Days
Jacob's Well Natural Area consists of five land surveys that use the spring as a corner to tie the properties together. Bartlett Sims conducted these surveys in 1847. The three surveys on this side of the spring were donated to the heirs of men that fought and died in the Goliad Massacre in 1836. In the early 1850s, William C. Winters, a San Jacinto veteran and early settler of Wimberley, hiked up Cypress Creek searching for its source and found an overflowing spring. It is said that Mr. Winters exclaimed, "like unto a well in Bible times." Thus it was named "Jacob's Well." Locals have been drawn to the cool, clear water of Jacob's Well spring since then. Jacob's Well remains a popular recreational destination today, drawing visitors from around the globe.
Wagon Travel
Before automobiles became widely popular,
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travel in the 1800s and early 1900s was done in horse-drawn vehicles like this buckboard wagon. Most country roads were bumpy dirt paths with two ruts worn by wagon wheels. In this photo: Southwest Texas Normal School students in route to their senior picnic at Jacob's Well in 1913. Notice Mt. Baldy in the distance, once known as Mt. Alberta, one of the Twin Sisters Mountains.
The Weir
After the drought of the 1950, a heavy rain washed gravel from the dry creek bed into Jacob's Well. Local landowners came together to finance a dragline to clean out the well. They then built a concrete weir (diversion wall) around the well to prevent it from filling in again. This weir still stands today.
Captions Middle Left: Jacob's Well, 1909 Lower Left: Southwest Texas Normal School Senior Picnic Jacob's Well, 1913 Lower Center: Jacob's Well, 1912 Lower Right: Weir, June 2016
Photos Courtesy of Alison Tudor
2. The Jacob's Well Natural Area Marker on the ridge above Jacob’s Well
98° 7.591′ W. Marker is near Wimberley, Texas, in Hays County. It can be reached from the intersection of Mt. Sharp Road (County Highway 220) and Whippoorwill Drive. The marker is located at the southern section of the Jacob's Well Natural Area 200, feet north of the Cypress Creek at Jacob's Well. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1699 Mt Sharp Road, Wimberley TX 78676, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country and in the Austin Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Jacob's Well (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jacobs Well Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); Winters-Wimberley House (approx. 3.1 miles away); Wimberley Mills
Also see . . . Jacob's Well. Texas State Historical Association - Handbook of Texas (Submitted on March 22, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, March 21, 2022
4. The view of the Jacob's Well Natural Area Marker as approaching from the trail
Photographed by James Hulse, March 21, 2022
5. The view of Cypress Creek from behind Jacob’s Well
Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,223 times since then and 117 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on March 22, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 23, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
