History of Robinson Ranch Cave in Round Rock, Texas explained and explored.

Robinson Ranch Cave is one of the most obscure caves of Austin and Round Rock. History and geology of this cave have not been accurately preserved as some of the other caves in the Austin area. This article will explain the history and geology behind Robinson Ranch Cave.

Robinson Ranch Cave extends all the way to the city of Round Rock, Texas and connects to another cave called Robbers Cave which is just 3 miles away. Robinson Ranch Cave is a shallow cave. (Ref: Austin Weekly Statesman, Page 3, June 24, 1897)

Albert Robinson discovered Robinson Ranch Cave, later renamed to McNeil Quarry Cave, in 1861 when he was establishing his ranch called  Robinson Ranch. The cave was known first as Robinson Ranch Cave to locals. Albert Robinson owned the ranch land this cave was located on. Keeping people out of McNeil Quarry Cave was difficult to being located on expansive ranch land and rugged terrain.

Now this cave later became known as “Sam Bass Cave” during the 1870s due to the fact Sam Bass and his outlaws used this cave to hide their stolen valuables such as gold and silver. Sam Bass would use the inside of this cave to hide as he evaded law enforcement officials from Travis County and Williamson County along with Texas Rangers. (Ref: Austin Weekly Statesman, Page 3, June 24, 1897)

This “Sam Bass Cave” is not the same Sam Bass Hideaway Cave located on SH 45 in Round Rock. That “Sam Bass Cave” is located in Williamson County while this “Sam Bass Cave” is located in Travis County.

Robinson Ranch Cave was renamed to Sam Bass Cave because the town wanted the cave to be named in the honor of that bandit who terrorized that section of Austin. That is why this cave is named after a notorious outlaw. (Ref: Austin Statesman, Page 11, July 13, 1939)

Austin White Limestone Company acquired more land in Travis County and Williamson County for their mining operations during the early-to-mid 20th century. Part of this cave has since been paved over sometime during the 20th century as Austin White Limestone Company needed an access road for their limestone quarries. So the entrance may have been paved over, filled, plugged, and blocked by Austin White Limestone Company.

Robinson Ranch Cave is located somewhere on McNeil Road, Round Rock, Texas, US.