The Round Rock Cemetery is a notable burial ground in the Central Texas area, offering a diverse range of stories that reflect various aspects of history. These stories include the presence of outlaws and lawmen, pioneers, the legacy of slavery, racial segregation, neglect, and hardship.
When the cemetery was first opened, slavery was still prevalent in the South. In accordance with the societal code of the time, a separate section of the cemetery was designated for the burial of slaves. This section, located in the northwest corner of the cemetery, was surrounded by a barbed wire fence, symbolizing the divide between the resting places of slaves and those of white individuals.
Interestingly, the slave section of the cemetery now stands as a peaceful and shaded area covered by dense foliage. It is the only part of the cemetery that offers such a serene atmosphere. The absence of markers and the presence of only a few scattered rocks serve as the only reminders of the individuals buried in this section.
The end of slavery did not bring an end to racial segregation, which is evident in the separation of other minority groups, such as the Hispanic population. They have a designated spot, which runs along the southern boundary from the entrance to the western edge. The graves in this section are adorned with flowers and mementos. Some markers in this section are carved into large, intricate, standing crosses.
The cemetery is also notable for its association with the infamous outlaw Sam Bass. Bass, known for his robberies of stagecoaches and trains, was buried in the Round Rock Cemetery with little fanfare. His grave was initially marked by a small tombstone erected by his sister, which has been chipped away over the years. A modern marker has since been placed in front of the old marker at his grave.
In contrast to the recognition given to Sam Bass, little is remembered about one of the other individuals killed in the shootout at Kopperal’s Store, the lawman A.W. Grimes. Grimes, a former Texas Ranger serving as Deputy Williamson County Sheriff, confronted the Bass gang without knowing their true identities. He was shot six times and left behind a wife and three children. Grimes’ headstone is located on the opposite side of the cemetery from Sam Bass, symbolically reflecting the distance between the lawman and the outlaw.
The Round Rock Cemetery is also notable for its large number of Woodmen of the World tombstones. The Woodmen of the World was a fraternal benefit order providing members life insurance and death benefits. Many members opted for a Woodmen tombstone as part of their policies. The cemetery displays a variety of Woodmen marker types, indicating the organization’s popularity in the early 20th century.
The cemetery also bears witness to the hardships of frontier life, with family plots containing the graves of parents and multiple children who died at a young age. One particularly poignant marker reads “Our Babies,” serving as a reminder of the high mortality rate for children during this time.
Overall, the Round Rock Cemetery serves as a tangible and rich source of history, offering a deeper understanding of the Central Texas area’s past. It provides a glimpse into the lives of outlaws, lawmen, pioneers, and individuals affected by slavery, segregation, neglect, and hardship. The cemetery’s stories, told through the markers and graves of those who once lived, provide a unique perspective on the history of the region.