A tour of historical markers in Cedar Park and Leander

A tour of historical markers in Cedar Park and Leander

Written by Karen R. Thompson Sunday, 07 October 2007

LEANDER

1. Webster Massacre (three markers)

A slab over the grave in Davis Cemetery:

"Here sleep the victims of the “Webster Massacre” of August 27,1839. About thirty homesteaders headed by John Webster en route to what is now Burnet County were attacked by a band of Comanche Indians. After attempting to flee under cover of darkness, they were trapped in the vicinity. Mrs. Webster and her two children were captured and later released. All others were killed. Martha Webster, then but three years old, was later married to Marmaduke Strickland." ~Centennial marker

Another marker in the Davis Cemetery reads:

"To the memory of Washington Perry Reese and William Parker Reese killed with John Webster and company by the Comanche Indians August 27 A. D. 1839. This tomb is raised by their brothers and Webster’s daughter Martha V. Stricklinge, Charles K. Reese and Thomas Reese." ~Texas Historical Marker

Note: Martha V. Strickland’s last name is misspelled as Stricklinge.

2. Webster Massacre

A red granite marker reads:

"The graves of the victims of the Webster Massacre, which occurred August 27, 1839, when John Webster and a party of about thirty, en route to a land grant in Burnet County, were attacked by a band of Comanche Indians. After attempting to flee under cover of darkness, they were trapped on an open prairie. Mrs. Webster and her two children were made prisoners. All others were killed. In death they rest together in one grave." ~Texas Highway Department marker

3. Bagdad Cemetery

The cemetery was opened in 1857 with the burial of 3-year-old John Babcock, whose father Charles later gave the tract to the community. Other early burials were Civil War Veteran John Haile and Col. C.C. Mason.

4. Norton Moses Masonic Lodge No. 336 A. F. & A. M.

Norton Moses Lodge, No. 336 A. F. & A. M. was organized in the Williamson County Community of Bagdad. This Masonic Lodge was formally chartered in 1871. It was named for Norton Moses, who participated in the group’s formation. A lodge building was constructed in 1870, and also served as a community meeting center and public school. In 1899, the Masons moved to the new railroad town of Leander. Through the leadership of its members, the lodge had an instrumental role in the development of Leander and the entire Western Williamson County. ~Texas Historical Marker

5. Leander Schools

The origin of the Leander school system can be traced to the 1855 school held in Bagdad, the pre-civil war community that disappeared after Leander was founded along the railroad. In 1893, a free public school opened in the new community. Business leaders organized a high school association in 1899 to furnish support for the educational system. ~Texas Historical Marker

6. Leander United Methodist Church

This church was organized about 1860 in nearby Bagdad. Early services were conducted by local preachers and missionaries in a log schoolhouse and Masonic Lodge. It moved to Leander in 1901. ~Texas Historical Marker

7. Leander Presbyterian Church

The church was organized in 1857 in Bagdad. When the railroad bypassed Bagdad in 1882 and the town of Leander was founded on the rail line, a church was erected in 1884. Many descendants of early members remain active today. ~Texas Historical Marker

8. City of Leander

Leander grew from the once thriving town of Bagdad, founded in 1854. When the Austin & Northwestern Railroad bypassed Bagdad in 1882, a new town was surveyed and named Leander after Leander Brown (1817-1889). The school district has grown to one of the largest in Williamson County. ~Texas Historical Marker

9. Pickle-Mason House

Master carpenter Andrew Pickle (1833-1908) built this house in 1871. It remained in the Pickle family until 1913, when it was sold to Augusta K. and Sarah Zora Mason Davis. Following their deaths, it remained in the Mason family. The home consists of two structures under the roof. ~Texas Historical Marker

10. Pioneer House

Pre-dating town of Leander, this place was a three-day wagon distance from Austin. The first two rooms were built in 1872 by J. C. and Nancy Bryson of rock from San Gabriel River and Jenks Branch. It had several additions for their family of eight children.

Texas Historical Marker recorded 1970. Owned now by Roy Butler and Sam Winters.

Note: The owner has asked the Texas Historical Commission for permission to destroy it for a county road from 183A .

11. A.S. Mason House

Local farmer A.S. Mason (1839-1926) constructed this house about 1866 on Bagdad Road, an important early military and commercial route in Central Texas. Mason was a Civil War veteran and instrumental in the early growth of Bagdad and Leander. ~Texas Historical Marker

12. Leanderthal Lady

On Dec. 29, 1982, Texas Highway Department archeologists uncovered the skeleton of a pre-historic human female at the Wilson-Leonard Brushy Creek. Carbon testing indicates the woman lived between 10,000-13,000 years ago and was about 30 years old at death. It is one of the earliest intact burials uncovered in the United States. ~Texas Historical Marker

13. Wells Family Cemetery

It is registered as a Texas Cemetery by the Texas Historical Commission.

It includes graves of Republic of Texas citizens Martin Jones Wells, his wife Sarah Jones Wells and Mr. and Mrs. Henderson Upchurch.

14. Miller II Cemetery

About 50 graves, dating from about 1900.

15. The Heinatz Homestead

Built in the fall of 1850, along with the adjoining store and post office of all native stone by John Frederick Heinatz (1822-1891), a settler from Germany. He was for many years postmaster of Bagdad, a public school trustee, superintendent of Sunday school, banker and practical advisor to his neighbors. He married Emile Krohn and had nine children — six boys and three girls — seven of whom lived to adulthood in this home. ~Texas Historical Marker

CEDAR PARK

16. City of Cedar Park

In 1873, George and Harriett Standefer Cluck purchased land in an area, which they found to be rich in cedar trees and limestone. A post office was established in 1874 as Running Brushy. The railroad came through in 1882. ~Texas Historical Marker

17. Cypress School

Neighbors living in a scattered settlement along Cypress Creek established a school for their children in the 1860s. The small log schoolhouse was built on a hilltop above the creek. By 1877, a one-story building was erected. This was a one-teacher school with up to 40 students. The school was closed in 1937. ~Texas Historical Commission

18. New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery

Early Baptists held services here by 1848. This church was formally chartered in 1868 in the home of James and Elizabeth Trammell. Rev. Thomas Bacon was the first pastor. The church cemetery started in 1869 with the burial of Martha Inman. The church was also used as public school and community place. ~Texas Historical Marker

19. Cedar Park Cemetery

George and Harriett Cluck settled in the area in the early 1870s soon after returning from a cattle drive up the Chisholm Trail. They built a log cabin. In 1901, upon the death of their grandson, Emmett A. Cluck, the couple set aside land for cemetery. ~Texas Historical Marker

20. Champion Cemetery

Consists of ten graves dating from 1862. A new county park recently opened near the cemetery. ~Texas cemetery designation

21. Bonnet Cemetery

Includes several Bonnet family graves dating from 1899. ~Texas cemetery designation

22. Minnick Cemetery

Includes about 30 graves, starting with the Minnick Family. Graves date from mid-1800s. ~Texas cemetery designation

Cedar Chopping in Central Texas

The term Cedar Chopper applied to harvesters and their families, who moved from camp to camp for their work. Cedar chopping was a significant factor in the development of the county and its economy well into the twentieth century. It supported charcoal kilns, timber yards and camps, such as one located at this site, which was leased from 1905 to 1908 by A.F. Martin & Brother. Site investigations here indicated archeological remains of a temporary camp and digout structure. ~A Texas Historical Marker was cast in 2005 to be placed near the intersection of FM 620, US 183 and Toll 45, but has not been installed since road construction was completed.

Types of marker:

Centennial marker: Granite markers erected in 1936 to celebrate the centennial, 100th anniversary, of Texas Independence. Usually gray granite, 5 feet tall, i.e. Block House marker at the entrance to Block House Creek sub-division.

Texas Historical Marker: Usually black metal, called “subject markers” because they tell a story.

Texas Historical Medallion: Usually placed on a house or building. It doesn’t have as much information as a subject marker.

Texas Historical Commission Cemetery Designation: A round marker saying the cemetery has had the history recorded.