Historical Marker

Bold Springs Cemetery

Historical marker location:
West, Texas
( from West, FM 1858 west 1.7 miles to Four Corners Road, then right 0.3 mi to Bold Springs Cemetery, immediately past West Brethren Cemetery.)
Marker installed: 2010
Marker size: 27" x 42"

ISAAC BUTLER “DOC” CAUBLE (1820-1904) BUILT A CABIN IN 1850 NEAR ONE OF SEVERAL FLOWING SPRINGS THAT WAS HOME TO GENERATIONS OF NATIVE AMERICANS. CAUBLE’S YOUNG SON, JAMES, WAS A FRIEND TO A COMANCHE BOY WHO DIED AND WAS BURIED ON THE HILL NOW HOLDING THIS CEMETERY. OTHER EARLY SETTLERS INCLUDED THE FAMILIES OF CAREY BOULDS, JACOB CLOSNER, WALTER BENNETT, WILLIAM HURLOCK, AND THOMAS WEST. THE SPRING AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITY WAS KNOWN AS “BOULD SPRINGS” OR “BENNETT SPRINGS.” THE BOULD SPRINGS POST OFFICE OPENED IN BOULDS’ CABIN, WHICH SERVED AS A COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACE AND A PLACE FOR STAGECOACHES TO STOP AND CHANGE HORSES. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ESTABLISHED ROADS THROUGH BOLD SPRINGS LINKING WACO TO HILLSBORO, FROM HERE TO A LUMBER MILL ON AQUILLA CREEK AND ALSO TO A FAMILY GRAIN MILL ON THE BRAZOS RIVER. BOLD SPRINGS MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, FOUNDED IN 1858, WAS THE FIRST CHURCH IN NORTHEASTERN McLENNAN COUNTY. THE POPULATION NUMBERED 311 IN THE 1860 CENSUS, MAKING BOLD SPRINGS THE SECOND LARGEST TOWN IN THE COUNTY. IN 1881, SETTLEMENT SHIFTED TO THE NEW TOWN OF WEST, ESTABLISHED ON THE MISSOURI-KANSAS-TEXAS RAILROAD.

THE OLDEST KNOWN GRAVE MARKS MARY W. BAZE (JUL. 28, 1828 – JUN. 19, 1861). THE GENERAL LANDSCAPE IS TRADITIONAL, WITH GRAVES ORIENTED EAST-WEST AND THE OLDEST GRAVES IN THE CENTER SECTIONS. HERE ARE PIONEERS OF BOLD SPRINGS, MEMBERS OF FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND EARLY BUSINESS AND CIVIC LEADERS OF WEST. VETERANS OF CONFLICTS FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO PRESENT ARE AMONG THE MORE THAN 2,400 INTERRED. GRAVE MARKERS ARE OF GRANITE, MARBLE, METAL, LIMESTONE AND SANDSTONE. VEGETATION INCLUDES OAK TREES, CREPE MYRTLES, IRISES AND BLUEBONNETS. THE BOLD SPRINGS CEMETERY ASSOCIATION FORMED IN 1892 AND CONTINUES TO CARE FOR THIS HISTORIC REMINDER OF THE ONCE THRIVING BOLD SPRINGS COMMUNITY

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

gravesites
Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.
Texas random facts
McLennan County, located in central Texas, has a rich and diverse history that dates back to the early Native American tribes who inhabited the area. The first European explorers and settlers arrived in the late 1600s, primarily Spanish explorers searching for new lands and resources in Texas. In the early 19th century, Anglo-American settlers began to arrive, and the area soon became part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas.

The county was officially established in 1850, named after Neil McLennan, a Scottish settler who played a significant role in the colonization of the region. The county's initial economy was primarily agricultural, with cotton, corn, and livestock becoming major industries. In 1870, the completion of the Waco Suspension Bridge, one of the first bridges to span the Brazos River, bolstered the county's growth and connected it to the expanding railroad network.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, McLennan County experienced periods of rapid growth and development. The city of Waco, the county seat, became a prosperous center for commerce, education, and culture. With the establishment of Baylor University in 1845 and the creation of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in 1968, Waco gained a reputation as an educational and historical hub. The county also played a significant role in the development of the Texas oil industry, as numerous oil fields were discovered and exploited in the early 20th century.

Despite its prosperous history, McLennan County faced challenges as well. It witnessed racial tensions and violence, particularly during the Civil Rights era. One of the county's most infamous events occurred in 1993 when an armed standoff between federal agents and the Branch Davidians religious sect resulted in a tragic fire at their compound near Waco, leaving many dead. However, the county has shown resilience, with ongoing efforts to address social issues and promote economic development, making it a vibrant and evolving community.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of McLennan County, Texas.

  • 1837 - McLennan County is established as a county of the Republic of Texas
  • 1849 - Waco, the county seat, is founded
  • 1860s - McLennan County experiences rapid growth with the expansion of the cattle industry and arrival of the railroad
  • 1874 - Baylor University is relocated to Waco
  • 1886 - The Texas Cotton Palace Exposition is held in Waco to showcase the county's cotton industry
  • 1916 - A tornado devastates downtown Waco, causing significant damage and loss of life
  • 1930s - McLennan County suffers during the Great Depression, but also sees some economic improvements through New Deal programs
  • 1951 - The Waco VA Hospital is established, providing medical care for veterans
  • 1993 - The Branch Davidian standoff occurs in Waco, resulting in a tragic fire and loss of life
  • 2015 - McLennan County celebrates its 150th anniversary