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Anaqua Springs Ranch
 Anaqua
Springs Ranch beckons you...enter this environmentally-preserved
community and forget that you just minutes from the bustling city.
Treat the high hilltops and feel the cool southern breeze Gaze
across the vast natural masterpiece, and enjoy the contrast of rising
limestone bluffs, lush wooded valleys and the springs and waterfalls
of Leon Creek. The beauty of the landscape is rivaled only by
the colorful array of Texas wildlife.
Like the Native American legends of the "healing"
Anaqua tree, let the natural splendor of Anaqua Springs Ranch wash
away the stress and strain of the outside world.
Anaqua Springs Ranch is a unique, pristine example
of nature in all of its splendor. When considering a name for
such a wonderful place, only one word would do. The word Anaqua
has a much meaning as Anaqua Spring Ranch has beauty. This word,
with its rich history and numerous definitions provides the perfect
identity for this land that offers limestone bluffs, natural spring
fed creeks, waterfalls, majestic hilltops and lush wooded valleys.
The Anaqua Tree
The Anaqua tree (Ehretia anacua) is an evergreen tree, native to
central Texas. It grows no further north than San Antonio and is
best known for its rough leaves which are similar in feel to that of a
cat's tongue. It produces white flowers in spring and small,
sweet pumpkin-color fruit. The Anaqua is often confused with the
Live Oak because of its shapely trunk. The Anaqua tree is also
known as the 'Knockaway" or "Sandpaper" tree.
 The
Anaqua Indians
The Anaqua (Iguaces") Indians, a Tonkawa group, were named after the
Anaqua tree, which was abundant in South Texas. The Anaqua would
eat the orange berries produced by the tree and use its strong wood
for much of their construction. The Indians would sit below the
Anaqua tree and meditate, believing the tree held healing properties.
Anaqua, Texas
Anaqua is believed to have been the first named site in Texas.
It is located on the San Antonio River, twenty miles south of Victoria
Country. The locale was also named after the Anaqua trees.
The first chapel was built there as early as 1820, and Anglo settlers
came after 1836. These locals used the wood from the Anaqua
trees for posts, wheel spokes, axles, yokes, and tool handles, Anaqua
became a trading post for many years. A post office, which at
first was simply a box nailed to big Anaqua tree, was established in
1855. Anaqua also erected a rural school. In 1906 focus
was drawn away from Anaqua. Five miles east, the St. Louis,
Brownsville and Mexico Railway established a station at Mcfaddin and
the Anaqua Post office closed.
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