Making Dripping Springs Home, A History Part 1

Editor’s Note: This guest column, is one of 12 short column submissions that will be made by the Dr. Pound Farmstead over the next three months. Their intent is to provide a better understanding of the history of Dripping Springs. For a learning worksheet accompanying this column, visit https://drpoundfarmstead.org .

In the winter of 1853-54 two young couples, together with 12 slaves, traveled nearly 700 miles from Jackson, Mississippi to the middle of nowhere, Texas. The Moss plantation in Mississippi provided the 12 slaves. How many covered wagons did it take to move everything needed to start life on the frontier? According to historical accounts, essential supplies would include a two-man wood saw; then pots and pans; knives; guns; traps; quilts; basic farming implements and seeds; blacksmith tools; spare wagon parts; medicines; and enough food to last the 45-day trip. This particular set of young pioneers also brought along some comforts: like a bed frame, table and chairs; an armoire; books; and a clipping from a rose bush. This is known because those items exist within the walls of the original log cabin, known locally as the Pound House Museum.

These new arrivals were Dr. Joseph and Sarah (Ward) Pound; John and Indiana (Ward) Moss, and the Moss’ young son, also named Joseph. The two families purchased land and set to building their cabins, using hand-hewn cypress logs. They had the difficult task of making a shelter in the early months of winter 1854.  This area they decided to make home was on the military supply route between Austin and Fredericksburg, where wagons would stop to cool their food and get water from the natural springs. There were no businesses and their only existing neighbor was that of the John Lee Wallace family. Welcome to what would become Dripping Springs!