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Marker Title: Airy Mount Barn
City: Burnet
Year Marker Erected: 1986
Marker Location: from Burnet take SH 29 E approx. 1 mi.
Marker Text: Kentucky native Adam Rankin Johnson (1834-1922) came to
Texas in 1854. After attaining the rank of brigadier general in the
Confederate Army, Johnson later settled in Burnet County where he was
active in business and civic affairs. In 1882 he donated land for the
railroad that carried Burnet County granite for the Texas State Capitol.
This stone barn, on the homestead he called "Airy Mount",
was built in the early 1880s and remained in the Johnson family until
1915. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1986
Marker Title: Black's Fort
City: Bertram
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: from Bertram take FM 1174 north approx. 8 miles; then
east on CR 210A approx. 2 miles to fort site.
Marker Text: Built as a defense against the Indians in 1851 by William
Black (1815-1907) on land owned by him. In the stockade, constructed
of cedar logs, sentries were kept on guard on moonlight nights. Guns
and ammunition for public use were kept here. Abandoned in 1868.
Marker Title: Burnet County
City: Burnet
Marker Location: 1.7 miles north on US 281.
Marker Text: Formed from portions of Travis, Williamson and Bell counties.
Created Feb. 5, 1852; organized August 28, 1852. Named in honor of David
G. Burnet (1788-1870), president of the Provisional Government of the
Republic of Texas in 1836. County seat, Burnet, famous for its granite
mountains.
Marker Title: Dead Man's Hole
City: Marble Falls
Year Marker Erected: 1998
Marker Location: 2 mi. S of Marble Falls on US 281; .5 mi. E on RM 2147;
.5 mi. S on CR 401.
Marker Text: Entomologist Ferdinand Lueders made the earliest recorded
discovery of this cave in 1821. Notorious in the Civil War era, the
hole is believed to have been the dumping ground for up to 17 bodies,
including those of pro-Union Judge John R. Scott and settler Adolph
Hoppe, several reconstruction-era county government officials, and Ben
McKeever, who had a conflict with local freedmen. An oak tree which
once stood over the cave was said to have rope marks caused by hangings.
Powerful gases prevented thorough exploration of the site until 1951.
The hole was platted in 1968 by the Texas Speleological Society and
was found to be 155 feet deep and 50 feet long. (1998)
Marker Title: Fort Croghan Buildings
Address: 703 W. SH 29
City: Burnet
Year Marker Erected: 1966
Marker Location: on Fort Croghan Museum grounds.
Marker Text: One of 8 buildings of Fort Croghan, U.S. Army post, 1849-1853;
later used by frontier "Minute Men" and local settlers. Recorded
Texas Historic Landmark - 1966
Marker Title: Site of Fort Croghan
Address: 703 SH 29
City: Burnet
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: in front of Fort Croghan Museum.
Marker Text: Established by Lieut. C.H. Tyler, United States Second
Dragoons, by order of the War Department, March 18, 1849, as a protection
to frontier settlers against hostile Indians. Abandoned in December,
1853 as the settlements had extended farther west.
Marker Title: Granite Mountain
City: Marble Falls
Year Marker Erected: 1979
Marker Location: from Marble Falls take FM 1431 W approx. 1 mi. to rest
stop ROW.
Marker Text: This 866-foot dome of solid pink granite, covering 180
acres, contains the largest quarry of its kind in the United States.
This mountain, like all granite formations, was once melted rock similar
to lava. As the molten rock cooled thousands of feet below the earth's
surface, it hardened into large crystals of quartz, feldspar and several
dark-colored minerals. Wherever strength, durability and beauty of finish
are required, granite is a favored building stone. The mountain was
part of a grant made to Texas colonist William Slaughter. the site became
famous commercially when a dispute arose in the 1880s over the type
of stone to be used in the Capitol in Austin. The issue was settle din
1885 when Governor John Ireland resisted demands to use non-native limestone.
Following this decision, a special track was built to haul the granite
to the rail line in Burnet. The stone was generously donated to the
state by quarry owners G.W. Lacy, N.L. Norton, and W.H. Westfall.
Today granite from the quarry here is shipped to all parts of Texas,
the U.S. and foreign countries for use in monuments, shafts, jetties,
and buildings. It has been used in the Galveston sea wall and in new
state office buildings near the Capitol in Austin.
Marker Title: Holland Springs
City: Burnet
Year Marker Erected: 1969
Marker Location: from Burnet take CR 340 S approx 3 mi. to intersection
of CR 340 and paved ranch road heading west.
Marker Text: Indians had probably visited these clear, cool springs
for centuries when, in 1847, Henry E. McCulloch established a Ranger
camp here, on Hamilton Creek. A year later, Samuel E. Holland (1826-1917),
a Georgian, decided while visiting the camp that this lush valley was
an ideal setting for a farm and home. He thus bought 1,280 acres here
to become the first permanent settler in what was later Burnet County.
In 1849 McCulloch's Ranger camp gave way to Fort Croghan. This site
eventually developed, through the efforts of Holland, into a busy pioneer
community.
Marker Title: Hoover's Valley Cemetery
City: Burnet
Year Marker Erected: 1969
Marker Location: from Burnet take US 281S approx. 5 mi., then west on
Park Road 4 approx. 8.5 miles; then north on FM 2342 .5 mi. to ROW at
intersection of FM 2342 and CR 119.
Marker Text: Established in 1850 by the Rev. Isaac Hoover, of local
Methodist Protestant church. He came from Tennessee; soon initiated
services in nearby oak grove. Oldest stone dates from about 1850. Another
grave is of Whitlock family, killed by Indians. Marked graves total
157; unmarked, 88. Tract is still in use.
Marker Title: General Adam R. Johnson
City: Burnet
Year Marker Erected: 1963
Marker Location: SE corner of Courthouse Square, Burnet.
Marker Text: Star and Wreath Home County of Texas Confederate Joined
C. S. Army 1861. Cavalry scout with Gen. Nathan B. Forest 1861-62. Commanded
Partisan Rangers 1862-64 executing daring exploits behind enemy lines
in Kentucky area. Took Newburgh, Indiana with 12 men and stovepipe "cannon".
Promoted brigadier general June 1864. Escaped from Federal trap on Buffington's
Island by swimming Ohio River with some of command. Blinded by gunshot
wound and captured August 1864. Exchanged spring 1865. A memorial to
Texas who served the Confederacy; erected by the Stat eof Texas 1963.
(1834-1922) Born Kentucky. Came to Burnet County, Texas, 1854. Overland
Mail stage driver, surveyor, noted frontier Indian fighter. Although
totally blind for life as result of war wounds he became prominent postwar
Texas citizen. Founded Texas Mining Improvement Company, contracted
for Overland Mail service, promoted development of water power on Colorado
River. Founded the town of Marble Falls. During the bloodless Coke-Davis
Controversy of 1874 marking the end of Davis' radical reconstruction
rule Johnson went to the Capitol and posted himself atop the stairs
with his old army six-shooter to fire down into the basement at the
Davis forces if necessary, but Coke gained the governor's office without
armed conflict.
Marker Title: Peter Kerr
City: Burnet
Year Marker Erected: 1970
Marker Location: from Burnet take SH 29 W approx. 1.5 mi., then SW on
CR 116 approx. 1.5 mi.; then west on private ranch road.
Marker Text: (1795-1861) One of "Old 300" of Stephen F. Austin's
first colony; from Pennsylvania. Took part in 1836 War for Texas Independence.
He made and lost several stakes. In 1851 bought a league and labor of
Burnet County land, including site of Fort Croghan. Amassed wealth as
Army beef contractor. Gave 100 acres and town square for Burnet County
seat. To build a college here, he willed $23,500 and 6,359 acres of
land to Burnet. The will was broken; city got a 2-acre site for a public
school. It is said "He never refused to help when he observed its
need.
Marker Title: Longhorn Caverns
City: Burnet
Year Marker Erected: 1967
Marker Location: from Burnet take US 281 S approx. 5 miles, then west
on Park Road 4 approx. 7 miles (at park headquarters).
Marker Text: Rich in history and folklore. A young geologic formation,
only a few million years old. Bones of elephant, bison, bear, deer,
other animals have been found here. When white men came to area in 1840's,
Indians knew the caverns; Rangers once found and rescued a kidnapped
girl from Indians in "Council Room." During Civil War (1861-1865)
gunpowder was manufactured and stored here. In 1870's outlaws, including
the Sam Bass gang, sometimes lived in the cavern. Site of night club
in 1920's. Has many unique features. Was opened to public in 1932.
Marker Title: Mahomet Cemetery
City: Bertram
Year Marker Erected: 1995
Marker Location: from Bertram take FM 243 NE approx. 10 miles, then
SE on Cemetery Rd. approx. .3 mile.
Marker Text: This cemetery, with interments dating back to the 1850s,
became a community graveyard for the Sycamore Springs and Mahomet rural
communities. In 1909 J.W. Williams and J.W. and Nellie Greer deeded
the cemetery property to the community of Mahomet. Among the hundreds
of people buried here are many of the area's pioneer settlers and their
descendants and veterans of wars ranging from the Mexican War (1846-1848)
to the Vietnam War. Mahomet Cemetery remains active and is maintained
by an association of descendants of people buried here. Sesquicentennial
of Texas Statehood 1845 - 1995
Marker Title: Oldest Commercial Building in Burnet
Address: 309 S. Main
City: Burnet
Year Marker Erected: 1966
Marker Text: Logan Vandeveer (1815-55), a hero of the 1836 Battle of
San Jacinto, came here about 1849 as a Fort Croghan beef supplier. He
became first United States Postmaster in burnet and in 1854 built this
native stone structure. With a partner named Taylor, he had a store
on the ground floor. Vandeveer was a charter member of Valley Lodge
No. 175, A.F. & A.M., which occupied the top floor from 1855 to
1969. The Lodge still owns the building. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
- 1966
Marker Title: Site of Town of Strickling
City: Burnet
Year Marker Erected: 1970
Marker Location: from Burnet go north on FM 963 approx. 11 mi., then
south on FM 1174 1 mile.
Marker Text: Once a busy rural community. Named for Mrs. Martha (Webster)
Strickling, who settled here in 1853 with husband Marmaduke. As child,
she survived killing of some 30 settlers in infamous Webster Massacre
near Leander, and months of Indian captivity. Post office opened here,
1857, and Strickling became a mail terminal and stage stop. Tons of
lumber and buffalo hides were hauled through here. The town had a school,
churches, a doctor's office, and stores. Strickling gradually declined
when bypassed by the railroad, 1882. Only the cemetery remains.
Marker Title: Logan Vandeveer
City: Burnet
Year Marker Erected: 1974
Marker Location: 703 W. SH 29 (in Fort Croghan Historical Museum complex).
Marker Text: (1815-55) Came from Kentucky in 1833. He was badly wounded
fighting for Texas at San Jacinto, 1836. Moving here to sell beef to
Fort Croghan, 1849, he was one of organizers of the county and original
postmaster of the town. In the early 1850s he built this house near
Hamilton Creek for a daughter. It stood at 502 South Water Street. Burnet
County Historical Society moved it here for preservation in 1973. Porch
was floored with stones from an early Burnet County Courthouse. Recorded
Texas Historic Landmark - 1974
Marker Title: Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Wolf
City: Burnet
Year Marker Erected: 1967
Marker Location: from Burnet take US 281 N approx. 11 miles to CR 103,
then CR 103 W .3 miles to cemetery (marker located in center road portion
of cemetery).
Marker Text: Jacob Wolf (1812-1874) and wife Adeline Faulkner Wolf (1814-1870)
came from Tennessee to Texas about 1850. Obtaining land grant in Burnet
County, they settled at Dobyville, and were pioneers, supplying their
own provisions, buildings, medicines, and school. Menaced by Indian
raids and aware of need for government, Wolf in 1854 help organize Burnet
County. Of the 8 children, 2 sons became sheriffs-- one in Burnet, one
in Lampasas County.
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