More than 1,500 images stretch across almost half a mile of limestone cliff near Paint Rock. On the high rock ledge, Indigenous artists painted animals such as bison and deer, human figures, and geometric patterns in red, orange, yellow, white and black. Archaeological finds show that the site has been used since at least the Toyah period, from about 1300 to 1650 AD. The rock art thus connects a specific landscape with a history of use stretching far back in time.
Rock Art and River Landscape
The waterways also offer a distinct point of reference for finding your way around Concho County. O. H. Ivie Reservoir extends into the county. The Concho River flows for 29 miles through Concho County and joins the Colorado River 12 miles northeast of Paint Rock. The site of Mission San Clemente was located at the confluence. These details make the course of the river and the location of the historic site two aspects of the same landscape, without making them interchangeable.
On the banks of the Concho River is a 1,200-acre ranch with mesquite scrub and wooded bottomland. Alongside the course of the river, characteristic landscape features come into view: scrubland and wooded areas in the floodplain. O. H. Ivie Reservoir is also listed as the venue for several local fishing events. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the specific dates in advance.
Boat Ramps and Directions
The Concho Recreation Area has a concrete boat ramp. It is 14 miles east of US 83 on RR 1929; turn north at the sign for the Recreation Area. The Padgitt Recreation Area has different directions: it is 10 miles south of US 67 on FM 503, and you should turn east at its sign. The two directions refer to different roads and turnoffs. If one of the Recreation Areas suits your plans, the roads and turnoffs named for each will help you get there.
The Concho County Safety Rest Area also features exhibits about local attractions. These include replicas of rock paintings found along the banks of the Concho River. The exhibits thus highlight a regional theme, while the cliff near Paint Rock offers a distinct facet of rock art through its number of images, extent and motifs.
Historic Places and Stories
Mission San Clemente was founded by the Mendoza Expedition on March 16, 1684. Its purpose was to “civilize” and Christianize the Indigenous people of the region. This historical wording is part of the site’s history; its location at the confluence of the Concho and Colorado Rivers also anchors it in the county’s river landscape.
Concho County Courthouse also combines a specific date with an architectural style. Built in 1886, it was the county’s first permanent courthouse and was designed in the French Second Empire style. The history of Trinity Lutheran Church begins with a congregation of about 44 members. Another local migration story recounts how several German Lutheran families from Mills County moved to Concho County shortly after the turn of the 20th century. These two accounts offer different perspectives on the history of the community and its residents.
The Western Trail ran north through the center of Concho County. This historic route adds another geographical trace to the stories of rivers, buildings and communities. For a visit tied to a specific time of year, consider the Concho County Fair, held annually in August and September. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the specific event dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Eola, Paint Rock, Real County, Oldham, Kaufman, McLennan, Harris, Lampasas County.
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