Mount Bonnell Plaque

On a crisp Texas morning in 1838, journalist George W. Bonnell, accompanied by Gen. Edward Burleson and Simon Mussina, embarked on an expedition through the rugged Texas frontier. Their journey led them to a majestic limestone peak rising 775 feet above sea level, overlooking the nascent city of Austin and the winding Colorado River. Mount Bonnell, as it became known, captivated Bonnell with its breathtaking panorama, inspiring him to document its grandeur. He later published his “Observations” in the Telegraph and Texas Register in 1839, marking one of the earliest written accounts of this natural wonder. The Mount Bonnell Plaque, erected in 1969, commemorates this historical connection and the mountain’s significance in early Texas history. The plaque further details Bonnell’s role as Commissioner of Indian Affairs under President Sam Houston and his contributions to the burgeoning Republic of Texas. It recounts his publication of The Texas Sentinel in 1840 and his participation in the Texan-Santa Fe and Mier expeditions. Tragically, his adventurous spirit met an untimely end in 1842 when he was killed in camp on the Rio Grande. The Mount Bonnell Plaque weaves together other captivating tales. It speaks of frontiersman W.A.A. “Bigfoot” Wallace’s encounter with a Native American on a narrow ledge 50 feet above the river. Wallace sought refuge in a Mount Bonnell cave to recover from an illness, only to emerge to find his sweetheart had moved on, believing him dead. In the mid-1800s, Mormons established a mill at the foot of Mount Bonnell, their enterprise washed away by the unpredictable Colorado River. The plaque also acknowledges Mount Bonnell’s enduring popularity as a destination for picnics and outings, a tradition stretching back to the 1850s. One can almost hear the echoes of laughter and merriment from those early gatherings, much like the visitors who flock to Mount Bonnell today. The inscription even suggests the mountain inspired the popular 19th-century song “Wait for the Wagon and We’ll All Take a Ride.” As you stand before the Mount Bonnell Plaque, imagine Miss Hazel Keyes’ daring cable slide from the summit to the south bank of Lake McDonald in 1898, a testament to the adventurous spirit this landmark evokes. Mount Bonnell stands not merely as a geographical landmark, but as a repository of stories, a testament to the resilience and spirit of early Texas.