Once upon a time, Manchaca Springs served as a crucial stopping point along the Old San Antonio Road and later the Chisholm Trail. Manchaca, a census-designated place in Travis County, holds a captivating history. It sits 10 miles southwest of downtown Austin. The population was 2,266 in 2020.
Over time, the origin of the name “Manchaca” has spurred much conjecture. Some believe “Manchaca” comes from the Choctaw word “imashaka”. It means “behind it” or “to the rear.” Manchac Pass and Bayou Manchac in Louisiana share that name. However, another theory suggests Manchaca Springs was named for Tejano army officer José Antonio Menchaca. The current pronunciation of “Manchaca” stems from simple Anglicization.
English explorer Thomas Falconer referred to the springs as “Manjack’s Springs” in 1841. Early maps showed the spelling as “Manchac Springs”. Jacob de Cordova, a Tejano land agent, corroborated this spelling in 1849. His maps are housed at the Texas General Land Office in Downtown Austin.
Washington D. Miller was an early owner of Manchaca Springs. He was a Republic of Texas congressman and secretary to Sam Houston. He later became Secretary of State of Texas after Texas joined the Union. In 1851, the Manchac House post office opened two miles south of Manchaca. It closed the following year. In 1852, Miller sold the springs to Adolphus Weir. Weir ran a stagecoach stop on the property. The Weir family retained land in the area well into the 20th century.
A second post office operated from June 1874 to May 1875. Afterward, area residents received mail in Onion Creek. The area grew when the International-Great Northern Railroad opened in 1880. A third post office, called Manchaca, opened. By 1884, the 75-resident community was a shipping point. It shipped cotton, grain, lumber, and posts. In the 1890s, a Methodist church, hotel, and school opened.
A 1932 Travis County Engineering Department map noted three grade schools. One was for White students. It was located at FM 1626 and Manchaca Road. Another was for African American students at 753 FM 1626. The third was for Mexican American students near Polk Road. These schools became the focus of the community. In 1961, the district joined forces with the Oak Hill district to form a new high school district. AISD annexed the entire high school district in 1967.
By January 1903, Manchaca’s population reached 100. It was home to four businesses. These were The Blackwell General Store, A. G. Matthews Blacksmith, R. E. Summerrow General Store, and the Summerrow & Carpenter Cotton Gin. The community had 200 people by the 1960s. In the 1970s, the number of residents decreased to 36. Local development increased by the mid-1980s. It accelerated through the early 2000s.
Today, Manchaca retains its small-town charm. It offers a glimpse into Texas history. The springs whisper tales of early settlers. They tell of stagecoaches and a community’s evolution. Next time you pass through Manchaca, remember its rich past. It is a place where history flows as freely as the springs themselves.