Deer Park Sink is one of the lesser known sinkholes in Austin that not many people know about or even aware of. This is one of many sinkholes in Austin that are not gated. This news article will describe the geology, biology, history, and natural wildlife of Deer Park Sink.
Deer
Park Sink is hidden by a subdivision and a cluster of oak trees,
mesquite branches, and cedar brakes. Part of this sinkhole is enclosed
by a fence. One would never expect that there would be a sink behind
this fence and subdivision. Deer Park Sink is notable for having a small
crawlspace on the inside and narrow size on both sides.
In
order to access Deer Park Sink, you have to navigate through a maze of
oak trees, mesquite branches, and cedar brakes. The rugged maze of oak
trees is difficult for anyone to navigate through. However entry and
accessibility into Deer Park Sink is quite easy as the low distance
above ground level makes spotting this cave an easy task for many
people. Deer Park Sink is easy to access overall. Now this sinkhole is
best to explore from the outside due to its narrow size and small
crawlspace. Deer Park Sink is located 4 feet south directly of Deer Park
Cave.
The perimeter of Deer Park Sink is 4 feet wide going
across in both directions. The entrance to Deer Park Sink goes down to a
steep length of 2 feet. This entrance can be seen above ground when
exploring the area and perimeter. The inside of Deer Park Sink so small
and cramped to the point where only 2 people can go in at a time. The
inside of Deer Park Sink extends to 3 feet before hitting a dead end.
Deer
Park Sink was formed out of all natural limestone and calcite. The
primary type of rock formation you will expect to see inside and outside
of this cave is native limestone as many caves in Central Texas have a
rock formation of native limestone. Fine silt covers the floor in some
areas as this cave is covered with limestone. There is no calcite
breakdown though. Deer Park Sink not connected to a series of connected
sinks or cave.
No
natural elements were found on the inside perimeter or outside
perimeter either. Not even iron ore deposits can be discovered.
Deer
Park Sink has no signs of wildlife whatsoever. No wildlife can be seen
inhabiting this sinkhole. Not even insects inhabit this sinkhole.
Shrubbery does not grow within this sinkhole. However there are several
cedar brakes, oak trees, cactus, and mesquite branches on the outside
near this sinkhole. The outside view at the entrance is beautiful as you
are surrounded by cedar brakes, oak trees and mesquite branches.
Here is the history of Deer Park Sink.
Deer
Park Sink was named after Deer Lane which once served as Davis Lane
prior to road re-alignment in 2007. Deer Park Sink also named after the
Goat Cave Karst Preserve which is also a park owned by the City of
Austin. That is how this sinkhole had received the name “Deer Park
Sink”.
Claire Brooks Chastain, Samuel D. Hanson, and Jeanette
Dawson Caroll once owned Deer Park Sink. Claire Brooks Chastain owned
39.89 acres of land in South Austin. This land included Deer Park Sink
and Deer Park Cave. Now Deer Park Sink was located on ranch land that
was originally part of the Jennings Ranch and had been for many years
prior to the 21st century.
For many years Claire Brooks Chastain
and Jeanette Dawson Caroll owned many acres of land that once belonged
to the Jennings Ranch. Jeanette Dawson Caroll owned the part of the land
where one side of Deer Park Sink is located. The part of the land
Jeanette Dawson Caroll owned was the southern part of the land where
Deer Park Sink and Blowing Sink are located. Claire Brooks Chastain
owned the northern part of where Deer Park Sink is located.
Claire
Brooks Chastain sold the land to Samuel D. Hanson on March 1, 1995 for a
price of $300,000 dollars on a warranty deed with vendor’s lien. (Ref:
Travis County Deeds, Instrument #00005262344)
Samuel
D. Hanson would own the land before deeding the land back to Claire
Brooks Chastain in 1996. Samuel D. Hanson would also deed 2 acres of
land to Davis Land, Ltd in 1996. However he would not own the land for
very long. Deer Park Sink would go through a handful owners after 1996.
Claire
Brooks Chastain sold the land to Davis Land, Ltd. on the date of March
2, 1997 for a price of $300,000 dollars on an extension of real estate.
The 39.89 acres of land of Jennings Ranch in South Austin was later
owned by Davis Land, Ltd. in 1997. Deer Park Sink was sold to Davis
Land, Ltd. on the date of March 2, 1997. (Ref: Travis County Deeds,
Instrument #00005687418)
The land would be sold again in 1998 as
Davis Land, Ltd sold the land to a femme sole named Jeanette Dawson
Caroll. Deer Park Cave and Deer Park Sink were located in what was to
become the Slaughter Creek subdivision. (Ref: Travis County Deeds,
Volume 13122, Page 2408)
A
preliminary plan for the planned subdivision called Deer Haven was laid
out and designed by Urban Design Group out of Phoenix, Arizona in 2001.
This preliminary plan was a plat map and final plan for the Deer Haven
subdivision. Land where Deer Park Cave and Deer Park Sink are located
was set aside as a water quality and drainage easement by Urban Design
Group and Deer Haven. That is why much of the land that surrounds Deer
Park Cave and Deer Park Sink is undeveloped. So they were certainly
aware of this cave’s existence and the sinkhole. (Ref: Travis County
Deeds, Instrument #2001157498)
Jeanette
Dawson Caroll along with Davis Land, Ltd and Claire Brooks Chastain
sold the property where Deer Park Cave and Deer Park Sink are to Clear
Brook Development on a special warranty deed on the date of 4/1/2002.
(Ref: Travis County Deeds, Instrument #2002082326)
Clear
Brook Development sold the property of Deer Park Cave and Deer Park
Sink to Homeowners Association of Deer Haven on a special warranty deed
in 1/1/2008. Homeowners Association of Deer Haven currently owns the
property where Deer Park Cave and Deer Park Sink are located. (Ref:
Travis County Deeds, Instrument #2008137364)
Deer Park Sink is located at the address of 4213 Davis Lane, Austin, Texas, US 78749.
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