Pause for a moment to consider the generations resting here at Roberts-Teague Cemetery. This hallowed ground tells a story of pioneers and families who shaped the Bee Cave area. The Texas Historical Commission has recognized its significance with a plaque near the front gate.
Let’s delve into the history of the Roberts-Teague Cemetery. In the 1860s the Roberts and Teague families arrived. They brought skills in farming ranching and more. These families helped shape the development and culture. They were also cedar choppers. Some were coal kiln burners. Others were homemakers.
Legend says that this cemetery began in 1898. Joseph Roberts offered this land to the Simons family. They needed a place to bury their infant. Joseph Roberts lived from 1843 to 1925.
Many veterans rest here. One notable veteran is Alfred R. Buck Simpson. He lived from 1895 to 1961. He was the second most decorated soldier of World War I. Roberts-Teague Cemetery records the lives of pioneers. It remembers families from isolated Travis County canyons.
The Roberts-Teague Cemetery is located in the Barton Creek West Subdivision. To get here from Bee Caves Road, take Creek’s Edge Parkway. The cemetery is on the northeast corner of Cliff’s Edge Drive and Creek’s Edge Parkway. It sits about 150 feet off the parkway on a small rise. A dirt road leads to the cemetery.
Craig Roberts is a seventh-generation Texan. His ancestors built this area. His great, great, great grandfather Joseph Roberts received 160 acres. This grant was from the State of Texas. It was for his service in the Civil War. That land is now Barton Creek West.
Craig Roberts’ ancestors survived by making charcoal. They harvested cedar for lumber. They used it for posts fencing and railroad ties. Farming and ranching were difficult. The terrain was rough and rocky.
The Roberts-Teague Cemetery also connects to other pioneer families. These include the Hutson Teague Patterson Ottens and Freitag families. Many were German immigrants. They were among the first settlers of Bee Cave.
By the mid-1860s more settlers arrived. The area became known as Bee Cave. This was because of Mexican honeybee colonies. They lived along Barton Creek and Little Barton Creek. Joseph Roberts married Henrietta Freitag. Their home the old stone Freitag House still stands. It’s even on the Wells Fargo Bank Mural in Bee Cave.
Craig Roberts is proud of his heritage. He wants to honor those who came before him. This burial ground is a testament to their hard work.
The Roberts-Teague Cemetery serves as a link to the past. It reminds us of the families who shaped this land. The Texas Historical Commission marker stands as a tribute. It marks their enduring legacy. It’s a reminder of the sacrifices and contributions of these early Texans. Spend a moment reflecting on their lives. Consider their impact on this community.