Texas History and Enchanted Rock

Texas History and Enchanted Rock

 

2006

The Indians believed that spirits inhabited the summit of this massive mountain of granite and held it in reverence.   The seemingly smooth surface conceals entrances to dark caves running far below the mountain which covers 640 acres.

Enchanted Rock and Farm

The name, "Enchanted Rock", evolved from unwritten Spanish and Indian history telling, of aboriginal rites and ceremonies, wars, loves and treasure seekers.

 

In olden days the Indians claimed to see mysterious flames dancing on the summit on moonlight nights.   These flames were only manifest on nights following rain and were probably due to the moonlight being reflected off the wet mica of the rounded sides of the rock.   The Indians believed that the spirit of the devil dwelt in the rock as eerie sounds are emitted from the huge dome at night,   These sounds are most often heard after a hot day, and geologists accredit them to the change in the temperature of the rock.

At the foot of the boulder, the Indians offered up human sacrifices.   On one such occasion, the marauding Indians ventured farther than usual in their quest for a suitable sacrifice and were within striking distance of the Mission San Jose, near San Antonio.

Within the mission lived the Indian Chief Tehuan and his beautiful daughter christened Rosa by the priests.  A dashing young Spanish soldier of fortune, Hesu Navarro, was desperately in love with the Indian maiden, and she with him.

In the Comanche attack, Don Hesu was felled by a tomahawk and Rosa was carried off.   Fortunately, the young Spaniard was not seriously wounded and from an Indian boy, he learned that his love was being taken to Enchanted Rock, to be offered in sacrifice.   Don Hesu rushed to Goliad for help, and in company with a band of Spaniards and Texas colonists embarked on a rescue mission.

The pursuers soon overtook the abductors while encamped.   The rescue party persuaded Don Hesu to abandon his plan of direct and immediate attack and instead play upon the superstitious beliefs of the savages.

Stealthily, under cover of darkness, the party stampeded some of the Indian's horses and killed their guards.   The red men, believing the spirits were angered by their attack upon the mission, sprang to their remaining mounts and, with the captive maiden, galloped away to the hills.

When the pursuers again sighted the Indians they were at the base of Enchanted Rock.   The beautiful captive was now bound to a stake and brush was piled high around her, ready to be set afire.   The rescue party was divided into two groups.   One group skirted the peak and surprised the Indians encamped on the north, while Don Hesu and his group rushed the sacrificial party.   The battle was brief and bloody.   Don Hesu, strengthened by his love for Rosa and his hatred of her captors, fought his way to the stake, succeeded in freeing the captive maid and soon they were beyond the reach of the savages.   And so it was that this night at least, the spirits of Enchanted Rock were deprived of their human sacrifice.

 

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