The San Marcos Springs are Rich in HistoryThe headwaters of the San Marcos River are a portal into Texas history. Discoveries from the area include ancient Clovis spear points and Mastodon bones. Archaeological studies indicate a history of human habitation spanning back over 12,000 years. The pre-Columbian inhabitants of Central Texas utilized the springs as a resource over this span of time, throughout drastic changes in climate and developments in tool technology. Past inhabitants during the early historic peroid included the Tonkawa and Comanche American Indian tribes. The first Europeans to come across the headwaters were Spanish explorers in the late 17th Century. Many names have been given to the San Marcos River in the past. The Cantona Indians called it Canocanayestatetlo, which means "hot water"; the Spanish, “Rio de Inocentes,” or “Rio San Marcos.” Four years after the annexation of the Republic of Texas by the United States, General Edward Burleson built a dam just below the springs. This produced a man-made lake from the headwaters of the San Marcos River, which is known today as Spring Lake.
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In 1946, Paul Rogers launched a 16-foot electric powered glass-bottom boat on Spring Lake. Through the boats glass, passengers could see the bubbling springs and abundant aquatic life that flourished in the garden-like underwater environemt. The Glass Bottom Boats were so popular that in order to decrease the long lines of visitors waiting to take a boat tour, Rogers added a number of exhibits and unusual attractions including the first Underwater Submarine Theater in 1951, a sky ride, a frontier town and sky spiral. In 1969, Ralph the famous swimming pig took his first Swine Dive.
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Texas State Purchases Aquarena Springs 
Aquarena Springs and Ralph
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