Ever wonder where the suburb northeast of Dallas known as Rockwall got its name? Most people don’t even think twice about the city’s origins, but in 1852 a strange discovery was made. Locals had found naturally-jointed geological formation, and it had the appearance of being completely man made. This jaw-dropping place has had people talking ever since.

Settlers discovered the rock wall, parts of which were above ground, when digging a well in the mid-1800s.

Photo Courtesy of Rockwall County Historical Foundation Pioneer Terry Wade suggested naming the town Rockwall after the curious geological formation. The name was accepted and the town of Rockwall was platted on April 17, 1854.

In conjunction with the Texas Centennial, a section of the wall was excavated in 1936 for public viewing for a fee.

Photo Courtesy of Rockwall County Historical Foundation When it first opened, it averaged 70 visitors a day.

The photo of this wall segment taken in 1999 clearly shows its size.

Photo Courtesy of Rockwall County Historical Foundation The wall actually extends about 3.5 miles wide by 5.6 miles long. The bottom of the “wall” has not been reached.

A close-up of the rock layers shows the stacking, which some theorists say can only be man made.

Photo Courtesy of Rockwall County Historical Foundation Theories have ranged from a lost city buried far below, to aliens, to nothing more than a natural rock formation.

This photo shows metal rings embedded in the wall that were discovered.

Photo Courtesy of Rockwall County Historical Foundation The seemingly man made rings in what appears to be a natural rock formation continues to baffle scientists and researchers.

A small portion of the rock wall is located at the Rockwall County Courthouse.

OIYS Staff Photo The marker describes the city name’s origin. As of now, the mystery of the rock wall with its metal rings continues.

Some stones from the rock wall are also on display at the Historical Foundation from a family who has part of the wall located on their farm.

Photo Courtesy of Rockwall County Historical Foundation The stones shown here are some of the largest ever discovered.

This home video by Matthew Warlick from an 1998 excavation dig of the wall provides additional insight: 

Photo Courtesy of Rockwall County Historical Foundation

Pioneer Terry Wade suggested naming the town Rockwall after the curious geological formation. The name was accepted and the town of Rockwall was platted on April 17, 1854.

When it first opened, it averaged 70 visitors a day.

The wall actually extends about 3.5 miles wide by 5.6 miles long. The bottom of the “wall” has not been reached.

Theories have ranged from a lost city buried far below, to aliens, to nothing more than a natural rock formation.

The seemingly man made rings in what appears to be a natural rock formation continues to baffle scientists and researchers.

OIYS Staff Photo

The marker describes the city name’s origin. As of now, the mystery of the rock wall with its metal rings continues.

The stones shown here are some of the largest ever discovered.

The Rockwall museum is located at 901 E. Washington St. in Rockwall. It houses an expansive collection of furnishings, photographs and artifacts from the county of Rockwall dating back to the 1840s. It is open from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and on Saturdays from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Have you seen the rock wall or pieces of it on display in the city, and if so, what are your thoughts about it? We’d love to hear your comments on this mid-1850s discovery.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.