Round Rock in Williamson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Sam Bass' Death Site
Photographed by Keith Peterson
1. Sam Bass' Death Site Marker
An uneducated Indiana orphan who drifted to Texas as a youth, Sam Bass won fame racing his swift Denton Mare, gambling, and robbing trains. A rich haul in Nebraska was followed by months of reckless spending. Bass liked to shower gold on people who fed or harbored him while he eluded law officers. In July 1878 he came to Round Rock to rob a bank, and was shot by Texas Rangers. Gallant to the last, refusing to name guilty partners, he became a hero to 19th century balladeers. His celebrated grave is situated in Old Round Rock Cemetery.
Erected 1981 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9031.) A significant historical month for this entry is July 1878.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 30° 30.51′ N, 97° 40.759′ W. Marker was in Round Rock, Texas, in Williamson County. It was on West Main Avenue (Farm to Market Road 620) near Round Rock Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Round Rock TX 78664, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Central Texas and in the Austin Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American South. Globally, it was in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Otto Reinke Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Broom Factory Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Commercial Building
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Sam Bass - Handbook of Texas Online. (Submitted on February 10, 2018, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas.)
2. Sam Bass of Round Rock Texas. Williamson County Texas History website entry (Submitted on September 8, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. The Ballad of Sam Bass - Alan Lomax. (Submitted on February 10, 2018, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas.)
Additional commentary.
1. Marker removed
This marker has been removed until further notice during construction to the area.
— Submitted December 22, 2025, by Texas Historical Reclamation Project of Austin, Texas.
Additional keywords. outlaws
Photographed by Keith Peterson, December 27, 2009
2. Sam Bass' Death Site Marker
View from Main Avenue at Mays Street. Marker can be seen under the tree.
Photographed by Keith Peterson, June 24, 2018
3. Sam Bass' Death Site Marker
Due to reconfiguration of street, marker has moved slightly.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 5,172 times since then and 196 times this year. Last updated on June 24, 2018, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on December 2, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. 2. submitted on December 27, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. 3. submitted on June 24, 2018, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
