The Archaeology
The Levi Rock Shelter is named for Malcolm Levi on whose
ranch it was first discovered in the mid-1950's. It is
estimated to be the 7th oldest paleolithic site in the
United States. People occupied this site some 10,000 years
ago or more. Clovis points, carved bone cylinders,
scrapers, awls, needles, punches, and incised and painted
pebbles were among the many artifacts found here by at least
3 different archaeological "digs". The University of Texas
has a collection of these specimens. In a 1979 article by
Nick Lasorsa, the site was described as still being"
relatively unmolested by modern-day man".
There were 3 known
archaeological sites in the West Cypress Hills Subdivision upstream. The
developers
destroyed 2 of them. They did not get the required surveys or permits.
Engineer Ed Moore's comment was "The sites are not what you or I would
recognize as an archeological site." (Austin American Statesman July
5, 2004)
Flora and Fauna
The Lick Creek area was settled by pioneers in the early
to mid 1800's. There was still an "Indian threat" when early
pioneers moved
in. The land was used primarily for ranching and farming.
One settler wrote home "I have found a land of flitter trees
and honey. Come to Texas." Fertile soil, availability of water, and
abundant game were among the attractions.
Lick Creek is in a canyon surrounded by fields of oak,
ashe juniper, mesquite, prickly pear, tasajillo and lace
cactus, and native grasses like big muhly, little bluestem,
buffalograss, and sideoates grama. Cypress, sycamore and
spicebush grow on the creek, where their roots can touch
water.
At various times of the year native wildflowers with
colorful names paint the fields. Almost all of the plants
were used by native americans and pioneers as food or
medicine. Here are some of the names: milkwort, snow on the
prairie, goldenrod, anemones, frog fruit, beebalm,
horsemint, skullcap, thoroughwort, queen's delight, mealy
blue sage, and slenderlobe passionflower.
Lick Creek is graced with a rare orchid, the "Chatterbox
Orchid" or Giant Hellebore. The flowers are not really
giant, being 1/2 to 1 inch across. Flowers are green and
brown and the lower lip of the flower moves in the breeze,
earning it the name of chatterbox.
Today Lick Creek
and environs still provide habitat for deer, armadillos, coons, possums,
nutria, and foxes.
Seen less often are the ringtailed cat, bobcats, and the
black rock squirrell, all
relatively rare. Mountain lions have also been spotted and
heard in the area in the past. The mountain lion does
indeed sound like a screaming woman, a very scary noise.
The creek still shelters turtles and small fish, as well
as a few "crawdads". A rainbow variety of dragonflies and
butterflies adorn the grasses and blossoms. Monarch
butterflies migrate through the canyon on their way south
each year.
Lick Creek is a
haven for birds. There have been confirmed Golden Cheeked Warbler sightings
around the creek. Green Herons and Great Blue Herons fish the waters. Roadrunners
and wild turkeys are seen at the banks. Seasonal warblers migrate
through. Among the more unusual and colorful birds that may
be seen are red-eyed and white-eyed vireos, painted
buntings, orioles, tanagers, blue gray gnatcatchers,
goldfinches, and house finches. There is a long list of
others, too numerous to list here. Developers
upstream bulldozed the creek before trying to obtain a wildlife survey
or required permits. They
did this work
just
before
mating season.
Please Help
Lick Creek still
supports and protects a bounty of natural treasures that are the heritage
of all. These
treasures are fast disappearing from our environs.
Responsible development can prevent us all from losing our
rightful heritage. The individual citizen must still be on the alert against
needless
and willful disregard of the land and the laws protecting it.