Editing Rocksprings, Texas

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Rocksprings, Texas
| settlement_type    = town
| nickname           = 
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = Historic Rocksprings, TX Hotel IMG_1349.JPG
| imagesize          = 250px
| image_caption      = Historic Rocksprings Hotel
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = TXMap-doton-Rocksprings.PNG
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Rocksprings, Texas
| image_map1         = Edwards County Rocksprings.svg
| mapsize1           = 250px
| map_caption1       = <!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Texas]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Texas|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Edwards County, Texas|Edwards]]

<!-- Government -->| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = <!-- Area -->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_48.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 3.15
| area_land_km2      = 3.15
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1.22
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1.22
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 874
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = auto

<!-- General information -->| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = -6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -5
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 732
| elevation_ft       = 2402
| coordinates        = {{coord|30|0|58|N|100|12|32|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 78880
| area_code          = [[Area code 830|830]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 48-62816<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1345423<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
| website            = 
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Rocksprings''' is a town in and the [[county seat]] of [[Edwards County, Texas]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web| url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx| access-date=June 7, 2011| title=Find a County| publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the town population was 874,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Rocksprings,%20Texas |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> down from 1,182 at the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]]<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4862816| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Rocksprings town, Texas| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=March 25, 2016| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213044735/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4862816| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref> and 1,285 at the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]]. The town received its name from natural springs associated with the porous [[limestone]] rocks in the area.

==History==
J. R. Sweeten sited Rocksprings in 1891 because of the springs nearby. Also in 1891, the town acquired a [[post office]] and was made county seat. The original [[courthouse]] built in the town burned in 1897. By 1914, Rocksprings had a population around 500.

During the early 1900s, hostilities between Anglos and Mexicans along the "Brown Belt" were common.  In Rocksprings, Antonio Rodriguez, a twenty-year-old Mexican, was [[burned at the stake]] by a white mob for allegedly killing a white woman, Effie Greer Henderson.  This event was widely publicized and protests against the treatment of Mexicans in the U.S. erupted within the interior of Mexico, namely in Guadalajara and Mexico City.<ref>Rosales, Francisco A. ''Chicano!: The History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement''. Arte Publico Press, 1997. pp 29.</ref><ref name="Minutaglio">{{cite book |last=Minutaglio |first=Bill |author-link=Bill Minutaglio |date=2021 |title=A Single Star and Bloody Knuckles: A History of Politics and Race in Texas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lYcHEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA87 |publisher=University of Texas Press |page=87 |isbn=9781477310366}}</ref> This was part of a series of racist killings known as ''[[La Matanza (1910–1920)|La Matanza]]''.

On April 12, 1927, the town was hit by an [[Fujita scale|F5]] [[tornado]] that destroyed 235 of the 247 buildings in the town. The tornado killed 74 townspeople and injured 205, almost a third of the population at the time.<ref>Cox, Mike. ''Texas Disasters: True Stories of Tragedy and Survival''. Globe Pequot Press, Sep. 2006. pp 99-108.</ref>

==Geography==

Rocksprings is located northeast of the center of Edwards County at {{coord|30|0|58|N|100|12|32|W|type:city}} (30.016161, –100.209023).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> Rocksprings sits on top of the [[Edwards Plateau]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|3.1|km2|order=flip|abbr=on}}, all  land.<ref name="Census 2010"/>

[[U.S. Route 377]] passes through the center of the town, leading northeast {{convert|46|mi}} to [[Junction, Texas|Junction]] and southwest {{convert|76|mi}} to [[Del Rio, Texas|Del Rio]]. [[Texas State Highway 55]] joins US 377 as Main Street through Rocksprings, but leads northwest {{convert|55|mi}} to [[Sonora, Texas|Sonora]] and south {{convert|68|mi}} to [[Uvalde, Texas|Uvalde]].

===Climate===

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.  According to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, Rocksprings has a [[humid subtropical climate]], ''Cfa'' on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=607714&cityname=Rocksprings%2C+Texas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Rocksprings, Texas]</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Rocksprings, Texas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1894–present
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 99
|Feb record high F = 96
|Mar record high F = 98
|Apr record high F = 100
|May record high F = 104
|Jun record high F = 109
|Jul record high F = 107
|Aug record high F = 108
|Sep record high F = 106
|Oct record high F = 100
|Nov record high F = 93
|Dec record high F = 87

|Jan avg record high F = 75.9
|Feb avg record high F = 80.0
|Mar avg record high F = 85.0
|Apr avg record high F = 91.0
|May avg record high F = 94.2
|Jun avg record high F = 96.9
|Jul avg record high F = 98.4
|Aug avg record high F = 98.0
|Sep avg record high F = 93.4
|Oct avg record high F = 88.9
|Nov avg record high F = 79.9
|Dec avg record high F = 74.6
|year avg record high F = 100.6

|Jan high F = 58.5
|Feb high F = 62.5
|Mar high F = 69.5
|Apr high F = 76.9
|May high F = 82.8
|Jun high F = 88.3
|Jul high F = 90.8
|Aug high F = 91.3
|Sep high F = 84.9
|Oct high F = 76.7
|Nov high F = 66.0
|Dec high F = 59.3
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 47.8
|Feb mean F = 51.7
|Mar mean F = 58.1
|Apr mean F = 65.3
|May mean F = 72.2
|Jun mean F = 77.9
|Jul mean F = 80.1
|Aug mean F = 80.5
|Sep mean F = 74.9
|Oct mean F = 66.5
|Nov mean F = 56.0
|Dec mean F = 48.9
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 37.2
|Feb low F = 40.8
|Mar low F = 46.7
|Apr low F = 53.7
|May low F = 61.5
|Jun low F = 67.5
|Jul low F = 69.5
|Aug low F = 69.7
|Sep low F = 64.8
|Oct low F = 56.3
|Nov low F = 46.1
|Dec low F = 38.4
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 23.4
|Feb avg record low F = 26.8
|Mar avg record low F = 30.6
|Apr avg record low F = 38.5
|May avg record low F = 49.7
|Jun avg record low F = 61.2
|Jul avg record low F = 65.7
|Aug avg record low F = 64.7
|Sep avg record low F = 53.4
|Oct avg record low F = 40.7
|Nov avg record low F = 29.7
|Dec avg record low F = 25.1
|year avg record low F = 19.8

|Jan record low F = 5
|Feb record low F = 3
|Mar record low F = 10
|Apr record low F = 20
|May record low F = 30
|Jun record low F = 45
|Jul record low F = 58
|Aug record low F = 53
|Sep record low F = 38
|Oct record low F = 19
|Nov record low F = 14
|Dec record low F = 5

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.03
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.93
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.81
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.66
|May precipitation inch = 3.35
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.50
|Jul precipitation inch = 1.95
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.10
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.38
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.05
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.66
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.62
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 5.7
|Feb precipitation days = 5.4
|Mar precipitation days = 6.2
|Apr precipitation days = 4.5
|May precipitation days = 6.0
|Jun precipitation days = 5.3
|Jul precipitation days = 4.8
|Aug precipitation days = 5.7
|Sep precipitation days = 5.8
|Oct precipitation days = 5.6
|Nov precipitation days = 5.2
|Dec precipitation days = 4.5

|Jan snow inch = 0.2
|Feb snow inch = 0.0
|Mar snow inch = 0.0
|Apr snow inch = 0.0
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 0.0
|Dec snow inch = 0.0
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 0.1
|Feb snow days = 0.1
|Mar snow days = 0.0
|Apr snow days = 0.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.0
|Dec snow days = 0.0

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00417706&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Rocksprings, TX
|access-date = May 7, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=ewx
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS San Antonio
|access-date = May 7, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Economy==
The economy of Rocksprings is centered on the [[wool]] and [[mohair]] industry, and the town is recognized as the [[Angora goat]] capital of the world. [[Tourism]] has become a growing part of the economy, with the opening of [[Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area]], located approximately {{convert|8|mi|0}} northeast of Rocksprings.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1930 = 998
| 1940 = 1339
| 1950 = 1436
| 1960 = 1182
| 1970 = 1221
| 1980 = 1317
| 1990 = 1339
| 2000 = 1285
| 2010 = 1182
| 2020 = 874
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Rocksprings racial composition'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4862816&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=May 19, 2022 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><br /> (''NH = Non-Hispanic''){{efn|Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.<ref>https://www.census.gov/ {{nonspecific|date=August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=About the Hispanic Population and its Origin |url=https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html |website=www.census.gov |access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>}}
!Race
!Number
!Percentage
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|214
|24.49%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|2
|0.23%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|5
|0.57%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|4
|0.46%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|1
|0.11%
|-
|Some Other Race (NH)
|2
|0.23%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|12
|1.37%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|634
|72.54%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''874'''
|
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 874 people, 559 households, and 340 families residing in the town.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000,  1,285 people, 420 households, and 312 families resided in the town. The population density was {{convert|1,064.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 535 housing units averaged 443.0 per mi<sup>2</sup> (170.7/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the town was 76.26% White, 1.17% African American, 0.93% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 18.75% from other races, and 2.72% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 66.69% of the population.

Of the 420 households, 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were not families. About 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.58.

In the town, the population was distributed as 33.5% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $19,970, and  for a family was $22,614. Males had a median income of $21,369 versus $14,408 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $8,957. About 31.7% of families and 38.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 51.6% of those under age 18 and 16.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
The town is served by the [[Rocksprings Independent School District]] and home to the [[Rocksprings High School]] Angoras. The school mascot is Rocko, the fighting Angora billy.

<big>'''In Pop Culture'''</big>

The town of Rocksprings was the location of the Texas State Penitentiary, Spring Valley Unit, in two episodes in season three of the television show ''[[Brooklyn Nine-Nine]]''.

==Photo gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Rocksprings, TX, sign IMG 1337.JPG|Entrance sign to Rocksprings, burn ban in effect in 2011
Image:Rocksprings Visitor Center IMG 1353.JPG|Rocksprings Visitor Center arranges tours of the nearby [[Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area]].
Image:Rocksprings, TX, City Hall IMG 1347.JPG|Rocksprings City Hall
Image:Edwards county tx courthouse2.jpg|[[Edwards County Courthouse and Jail|Edwards County Courthouse]]
Image:First Methodist Church, Rocksprings, TX IMG 1350.JPG|First Methodist Church in Rocksprings
</gallery>

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{notelist}}

{{Edwards County, Texas}}
{{Texas}}
{{Texas county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Edwards County, Texas]]
[[Category:Towns in Texas]]
[[Category:County seats in Texas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1891]]
[[Category:1891 establishments in Texas]]