Windsor Park in Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Josiah Pugh Wilbarger
In Memoriam
Photographed By Richard Denney, November 24, 2014
1. Josiah Pugh Wilbarger Marker
Josiah Pugh Wilbarger
of Austin's Colony was stabbed
and scalped by the Indians in 1832
while locating lands for the Colonies.
Born in Bourbon Co. Ky. Sept. 10, 1801
Died in Bastrop Co. Tex. April 11, 1845
A true Pioneer and Patriot.
We honor the spirit of sacrifice.
Reverenced and erected by his descendants.
Erected 1936. (Marker Number 16095.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 2002.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 30° 18.233′ N, 97° 41.924′ W. Marker was in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It was in Windsor Park. Marker was at the intersection of Berkman Drive and East 51st Street, on the right when traveling north on Berkman Drive. The marker is located in the northeast corner of the Bartholomew District Park at the intersection of 51st and Manor Road. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 5201 Berkman Drive, Austin TX 78723, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Annie Webb Blanton (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hancock Recreation Center (approx. 1.6 miles away); Addcox House (approx. 1.6 miles away); St. John Orphanage and Industrial Institute (approx. 1.7 miles away); Elisabet Ney (approx. 1.7 miles away); First Colored Baptist Church (approx. 1.7 miles away); Wells-LaRue House (approx. 1.7 miles away); Maud Anna Berry Smith Fuller (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Bluff Trail Overlook marker overlooking Wilbarger Bend of the Colorado River. Pecan Springs School near the original location of this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Wilbarger, Josiah Pugh. Article from The Handbook of Texas Online. (Submitted on November 24, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
2. Travis County Historical Commission. Article about this marker which dates to 1927 and is likely the oldest in Travis County. (Submitted on December 10, 2019, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
3. Austin Monument Protested by Neighborhood
Photographed By Richard Denney, November 24, 2014
2. Josiah Pugh Wilbarger Marker
Additional commentary.
1. Marker relocated in 1985
This marker was originally located at the site where the rescue party found Josiah Wilbarger, near today's Old Manor Road & 51st street. In 1966, a news article quotes Mrs. Jessie Smith, then head of the Travis County Historical Survey Committee, saying this marker is likely the oldest in Travis County, and was put up at the original spot in the late 1920s, which explains why it does not look like other 1936 Texas Centennial markers; it apparently predates those markers. Another article from the Austin paper seems to corroborate that mentioning the marker on the Austin – Manor road in 1931. The marker remained at its original location where Wilbarger was scalped until 1985 when it finally got moved to Bartholomew Park.
— Submitted June 29, 2019, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.
Photographed By Richard Denney, November 24, 2014
3. An Additional Marker
An additional marker reads: In Memory of Thomas Christian, William Strother and Josiah Wilbarger, members of a party of five who were attacked near here by Indians in August, 1833. Christian and Strother were killed, Wilbarger was scalped and eventually died of his wounds. The other two escaped.
May 23, 2024
4. Josiah Pugh Wilbarger Marker - permanently removed.
Preparation for the permanent removal of the marker at the request of a local neighborhood and approved by Austin City Council and removed by Austin Parks and Recreation Department.
May 23, 2024
5. Josiah Pugh Wilbarger Marker - permanently removed.
Marker has been permanently removed at the request of a local neighborhood and approved by Austin City Council and removed by Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Marker was moved to the Wilbarger family plot in Fairview Cemetery, Bastrop, Bastrop County, Texas, USA. Wilbarger himself is buried in the Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Texas.
May 27, 2024
6. Public notice of relocation, Bartholomew District Park, Windsor Park Neighborhood
Visible here is spot where the marker was removed, looking north along Berkman Drive. Sign reads "Public Notice: Monument Relocation. The Josiah Wilbarger monument has been relocated to the Wilbarger Family plot at the Fairview Cemetery in Bastrop, Texas, with the support of the Wilbarger Family descendants. For questions about the relocation, please contact (512) 974-9478. Austin Parks & Recreation, City of Austin."
Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,320 times since then and 310 times this year. Last updated on May 25, 2024, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 24, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 4, 5. submitted on May 24, 2024. 6. submitted on May 28, 2024. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
