DUANE
Duane's take
Here's what the official marker at Hanna Springs has to say, and I'm gonna let it speak through me. Sulphur springs. Just let that sit for a second.
Not exactly the kind of words that make you think luxury resort — but out here in Lampasas County, those springs were once about as famous as it got. The man who first saw the opportunity in that bubbling, sulfurous water was John Hanna, member of a locally prominent family, and what he found — or what he started — drew hundreds of people out to camp on the land and take what folks called the healing waters. Word spread the way word does in Texas: fast and wide.
The reputation of the area grew enough that by 1884, a whole organization had formed around it — the Central Texas Town Co. — put together specifically to promote the park. A convention hall went up. And that convention hall is where things get genuinely interesting.
In 1892, the State Democratic Convention met right here at Hanna Springs. Now, these were not small stakes. The delegates voted to support Grover Cleveland for U.S.
President and nominated James Hogg for Governor. The marker — and I appreciate that it does this — adds a wry little note in parentheses: both men won. You get the feeling whoever wrote that inscription knew how satisfying it was to say.
After the convention moved on and the speeches faded, Hanna Hall didn't sit idle — it was converted into an opera house. Culture and sulphur, side by side. But like a lot of grand things, it had a season.
The resort closed after 1900, and what had once drawn hundreds to camp and take the waters became a memory worth marking. Hanna Springs: famous health spa, convention ground, opera house — and then, quiet.
What the marker says
Famous health spa and resort of early Lampasas. These sulphur springs were first exploited by John Hanna, member of a locally prominent family. Hundreds came to camp and take the healing waters. As reputation of area grew, the Central Texas Town Co. was formed to promote park, 1884. A convention hall was built, and the 1892 State Democratic Convention, meeting here, voted to support Grover Cleveland for U.S. President and nominated James Hogg for Governor. (Both men won.) Hanna Hall was later converted into an opera house. The resort closed after 1900.