Near Llano in Llano County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Baby Head Cemetery
Photographed by James Hulse, September 4, 2020
1. Baby Head Cemetery Marker
According to local oral tradition, the name Baby Head was given to the mountain in this area in the 1850s, when a small child was killed by Indians and its remains left on the mountain. A local creek also carried the name, and a pioneer community founded in the 1870s be came known as Baby Head. The oldest documented grave here is that of another child, Jodie May McKneely, who died on New Year's Day 1884. The cemetery is the last physical reminder of the Baby Head community, which once boasted numerous homes, farms, and businesses.
Erected 1991 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9432.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is January 1, 1884.
Location. 30° 53.229′ N, 98° 39.395′ W. Marker is near Llano, Texas, in Llano County. It is on State Highway 16 0.7 miles north of County Highway 226, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Llano TX 78643, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Board Branch Cemetery (approx. 6.4 miles away); Lone Grove School (approx. 7 miles away); Site of Old Behrns West Texas Normal and Business College (approx. 7.1 miles away); Valley Springs Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 7½ miles away); Isaac Byler Maxwell (approx. 8½ miles away); Bluffton Cemetery (approx.
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Llano County (was approx. 6½ miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Regarding Baby Head Cemetery. Mystery in a name, the Baby Head name has several theories on where it came from. The first is the story as told on the marker. The second has a different later date of 1873. The third is a story where wealthy men killed the girl and blamed her death on the Indians in an effort to keep additional settlers from coming into the Llano area. The fourth is a non violent story saying that it was named for the large creek nearby which had 2 sources to the the creek. The source of a river is also referred to as a head. The smaller of the two heads was located by the road which was then called Baby Head Road. This name was then used with the community and cemetery.
Also see . . .
1. Baby Head, Texas Ghost Town. TexasEscapes.com (Submitted on October 15, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
2. Baby Head Cemetery.
Photographed by James Hulse, September 4, 2020
2. Baby Head Cemetery and Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, September 4, 2020
3. Baby Head Cemetery Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,488 times since then and 191 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 15, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
