Petition seeks to rename Dripping Springs to 'Pound Town' after founding family

Amanda O'Donnell
aodonnell@statesman.com

Does the name Dripping Springs do Austin's sweet, neighboring Hill Country city justice?

There is at least one "coalition of residents and business owners in the area" that doesn't think so. As was announced in a press release Wednesday, some Dripping Springs residents would rather call home "Pound Town," after one of the city's earliest residents Dr. Joseph M. Pound.

According to the rename coalition's GoFundMe page, which has raised $170 of its $1,854 goal, "Donations will be used to fund a fun campaign that may or may not result in a ballot initiative, and at the very least we'll donate a good portion of the proceeds to Friends of the Pound House for upkeep and education at the historic homestead." The page claims that Pound was the first doctor in Hays County. 

When asked by the Statesman if the campaign was serious or tongue-in-cheek, a Daniel McCarthy responded that the Pound Towners are "serious about history" saying, "As much as we like BBQ and carnival rides we also think that most people have lost sight of the true meaning of Founder's Day. For that reason we're hoping to honor the memory of Dr. Joseph Pound every day of the year by renaming the city."

McCarthy said the reaction to the effort has been mixed and "for a bunch of churchgoing people they seem to have some dirty minds." He also said that the group had written to the city secretary inquiring about a possible ballot initiative. 

Depending on where you stand, you can show your support by pounding that like button on the "Vote for Pound Town" Facebook page, here