Limestone and other rock have been quarried in the area since the early 1850s, but the industry really took off in 1897, when Cedar Park became the heaviest freight loader between Austin and Llano. Cedar Park was also the only source in the United States for shell stone, which is found in many notable buildings throughout the country, including the Texas State Capitol. In fact, you can still find several large granite blocks in Brushy Creek, where a train derailed on its way to deliver them for the capitol's construction.
