Rockwall

This county seat in Texas lies in rolling terrain east of Lake Ray Hubbard, roughly 25 miles from downtown Dallas. The community is crossed by several state highways and borders the lake shore, which serves as both a recreational area and a water reservoir.

Settlers encountered underground sandstone formations in 1851 and believed them to be man-made structures, which led them to name the emerging settlement after this discovery. Over the following decades the area shifted from a farming community to a growing suburb.

The town hall stands on Yellowjacket Lane and acts as the focal point of local government, while the Historic Downtown Square is surrounded by traditional brick buildings dating from the early 20th century. Residents often stroll this central area in the evening when streetlamps glow and storefronts illuminate the sidewalks.

Travelers coming from Dallas can follow Interstate 30 eastward and exit at State Highways 205 or 276. Most facilities within the community are easily reached by car, while the central Historic Downtown Square area lends itself to walking.

Sandstone dikes intrude through surrounding Cretaceous marl and create a pattern that resembles rows of masonry, sparking geological curiosity. Some of these natural formations become visible at construction sites, road cuts and along the lake shore when water levels drop.