Blanco Cemetery

Blanco history reveals that Texas Ranger Captain James Hughes Callahan, his friend Eli Clemmons Hinds, and their families were the first settlers in Blanco, purchasing land on Martin's Fork of the Blanco River. Callahan became interested in land along the beautiful Blanco River after a Ranger excursion for Indians brought him through the area.

Convincing his friend Eli Hinds to join him in taking a better look, they rode northward from Caldwell County. The men purchased land fronting the Blanco River, Hinds choosing the north side and Callahan on the south side.

William Neil Trainer and his family followed soon after, moving up from Curry Creek, and becoming the third group of settlers on the Blanco River. More and more families soon joined the first settlers in this area.

It was "Clem" Hinds and William S. Johnson who accompanied James Callahan to the Woodson Blassengame home on April 7, 1856. Callahan wanted to discuss a rumor Blassengame supposedly started. On that fateful day, a gun battle at the Blassengame cabin ended the lives of Callahan and Johnson, and left Hinds severely wounded. The two murdered men were the second and third bodies to be buried on Callahan's land, what was to become the Blanco Cemetery; Callahan's three-year-old son, William, was the first. Callahan, his son, and his wife were relocated to the Austin State Cemetery in the 1930s, but only after an old-timer pointed out the graves.

The Callahan estate, through the Pittsburg Land Company, set aside land as a cemetery for the town of Pittsburg, which was located across the river to the south of present day Blanco. Through the murky mists of time, the Blanco Cemetery continued to serve the citizens of Blanco.

The first settlers in the Blanco Valley built rock houses, barns, and fences; they started farms and ranches; they protected their families from hostile Indians, who were a constant threat to the settlers and their livestock. They lived their lives, created and built this community, and many are now laid to rest in this cemetery. Walking amongst the markers, you will find Hinds, Trainer, and the family names that are on the oldest, and the newest, of the stones.

The Blanco Cemetery also holds the heroes who fought for their country; with 5 Republic of Texas soldiers and at least 32 Confederate soldiers interred here. People buried over the 150 years experienced the history of our country, our state, and our town. They helped create our way of life, from securing their homes from Indians to fighting abroad for our freedoms.

One such historical figure is Benjamin Z. Boone, who is related to the famous Daniel Boone. Benjamin was part of the Somervell Mier Expedition in 1842, among the 190 men who escaped from the Mexican soldiers and headed into the mountains. As the story goes, the group was recaptured and General Santa Anna issued orders to shoot every tenth man but the Mexican officers decided to let the Texans draw lots, thus giving some a chance to live. They placed a number of white and black beans inside a jar. Those who chose a black bean were taken a short distance away and shop. Benjamin Zachariah Boone drew a white bean, and he and his fellow prisoners were put in chains and marched back to the scene of the Mier battle and held as prisoner until the Mexican General was convinced to set them free. In 1875, Boone moved to Blanco County, where he died and was buried, holding his white bean.

There many interesting stories, from pioneers, veterans, and citizens buried in the Blanco Cemetery. The stories are passed down from family member to family member, and told around town. The cemetery is a memorial to Blanco's history and we, the living, must remember every story and every person who are now buried here.