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(From left) Burnet County Pct. 1 Commissioner Jim Luther Jr., Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle, Judge James Oakley, Pct. 3 Commissioner Billy Wall and Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery rededicate and unveil the 1936 Granite Mountain Marker along the County Courthouse east side during a brief ceremony sponsored by the Burnet County Historical Commission Dec. 12. -
ABurnet Historical Commission Chair Rachel Bryson addressed Burnet County Historical Commission members and dignitaries during the ceremony for rededication of the Texas Centennial Granite Marker Dec. 12 in Burnet at the county courthouse. -
Cottonwood Shores residents Nicole and Michael Ritchie addressed Burnet County Historical Commission members and dignitaries during the ceremony for the re-dedication of the Texas Centennial Granite Marker Dec. 12, in Burnet at the county courthouse. The marker had been lost for several years until the Ritchies found it in Marble Falls near the bottom of a steep embankment near U.S. 281. -
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From left, Burnet County Pct. 1 Commissioner Jim Luther Jr., Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle, Burnet County Judge James Oakley, Pct. 3 Commissioner Billy Wall and Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery unveiled the recently discovered 1936 Granite Mountain Marker, which had been lost. Photos by Raymond V. Whelan/Bulletin
The Burnet County commissioners, several Burnet County Historical Commission members and more than 20 guests recently re-dedicated a significant historical marker lost years ago to commemorate the Texas Centennial.
“We have been looking forward to this for a very long time,” Historical Commission Chair Rachel Bryson told a seated audience.
Other attendees included Pct. 1 Commissioner Jim Luther Jr., Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle, Pct. 3 Commissioner Billy Wally and Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery.
Around noon, the crowd huddled along the county courthouse east side to remove a large white blanket roped around and covering the solid granite stone (almost 90 years old) and formally bless its new home.
“History matters,” Burnet County Judge James Oakley told the crowd. “While nobody can predict the future, we can preserve the past, and we have a responsibility to do that.”
Texas celebrated its 100th birthday more than 80 years ago.
At that time, the Texas Centennial Committee and the Texas Highway Department erected six markers in Burnet County to commemorate the separation of Texas from Mexico and the beginning of Texas as an independent republic in 1836.
One of the hallowed markers was placed in Marble Falls, until it disappeared years ago.
However, quite by accident, several years ago, Cottonwood Shores residents Michael and Nichole Ritchie discovered the 5,000-pound granite stone marker resting at the bottom of a steep embankment in Marble Falls near the LaQuinta Inn and West FM 2147.
After much research and lots of help from local librarians and history buffs, the couple recovered the stone and ushered its relocation to the Burnet courthouse, at an honorable place along its east lawn, embellished with a new plaque and seal.
“It was a long process,” Michael Ritchie told the crowd. “A lot of people helped to get it done.”
More Burnet County centennial markers are available for Texans, historians and visitors to enjoy, including the “Pioneers” monument along the Burnet County Courthouse east side; the “Black’s Fort” marker near Bertram and the marker in Burnet at the Fort Croghan Museum, 703 Buchanan Drive.
Another marker near the Mormon Settlement between Burnet and Marble Falls at CR 340 and Mormon Mill Road is situated on private property and closed to the public.
Another one of the six Burnet County markers established in 1936 was planted two miles north of Burnet along U.S. 281.
“It is missing,” Bryson said. “We don’t know where it is.”
E-mail the Burnet County Historical Commission at histor-icalcommission@ burnetcountytexas. org or rabryson1964@gmail. com or call 512-876-5600 for more information.