Near Bandera in Bandera County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Polly Cemetery - 1890
J.P. Rodriguez Settlement 1858-1935
Photographed By James Hulse, January 3, 2022
1. Polly Cemetery - 1890 Marker
Although recorded burials date to the 1890's, early family interments date back to the 1860's. This historic cemetery is two blocks away from Polly's Chapel on Old School Road. For over 150 years, members of the Ayala, Caballero, Enrique, Herrera, Leal, Rodriguez and Vargas families have been interred here. Many community residents have also found a final resting place here. In 1914, J.P. "Polly" Rodriguez passed away and, per his last request, was buried here under a large cedar tree in the southeast corner.
Over the years, descendants, community residents and friends have helped to preserve the cemetery. Currently, it is under the administration and operation of the Polly Texas Pioneers Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to preservation. Most funeral homes can make final arrangements for families. For more information on the cemetery, please contact Ms Anna Lunoff
this page online
Erected by Polly Texas Pioneer Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Hispanic Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
Location. 29° 46.247′ N, 98° 59.583′ W. Marker is near Bandera, Texas, in Bandera County. Marker is at the intersection of Polly's Cemetery Road and Old School Road, on the right when traveling west on Polly's Cemetery Road. The marker is located on the right side of the entrance to the Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bandera TX 78003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Welcome to Polly, Tx (approx. ¼ mile away); Polly's Chapel (approx. ¼ mile away); Polly's Chapel 1882 (approx. ¼ mile away); Polly's Schoolhouse, 1892, (approx. 1.4 miles away); Pilots' Lounge at Bandera Airpark (approx. 5.1 miles away); Bandera County (approx. 5.2 miles away); Stegosaurus (approx. 5.2 miles away); Dilophosaurus (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bandera.
Also see . . . Polly Texas.
Polly had counted Gen. Smith and Col. Joseph E. Johnston as mentors. Also, since(Submitted on January 4, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)1849, he had served as Head Scout and Guide with the “Corps of Discovery” to explore new roads and survey them. These experiences prepared him for his eventual discovery of (and subsequent purchase of land in) the beautiful Privilege Creek Valley, which occurred in 1858 while on a military mission to recover camels that had escaped from Camp Verde.Photographed By James Hulse, January 3, 20222. The Polly Cemetery and Marker
It is understood that Polly, an early Texas explorer, surveyor and army scout, had more knowledge of Texas than any other man in the state. His assessment of the Privilege Creek Valley was trained, astute and final when he purchased his first 420 acres (1) from his well know friend Judge John James. Since 1858, Polly had been living with his family at Camp Verde. Upon his purchase he immediately chose a site to build his home almost 200 feet West of the creek. Shortly after, Tejano stonemason Francisco Morales was hired to begin building his house and a limestone kiln. Polly and his family were the first settlers in this Privilege Creek Valley.
Though the site had been chosen for its abundant water, wild game, horses and cattle, the valley had long been home of Indian ancestral hunting grounds and site of burial mounds. Nonetheless, Polly understood the challenges to come and was prepared to meet the threats. His ten years of military service had provided him with the knowledge of "force protection" and fort developmentthat would serve his beginning settlement. In addition, his Tejano Texas family up bringing provided him with life long lessons of Hacienda protection and the use of Companias Volantes (Ranging Companies).Photographed By James Hulse, January 3, 20223. Jose Policarpio" Polly" Rodriguez
Polly's previous experiences surveying towns and working with Fort and Settlement Builders like Charles DeMontel, John James, Col. Joseph Johnston and Gen. P. Smith had prepared him with the necessary background to begin his own settlement. It is important to dwell and elaborate on Polly's ability and experience as a surveyor that would have provided him with the concept of assimilation of property for a development. Additionally, his experiences with his mentors and settlement builders would have created the need for "contiguous land acquisition" for continuity of development. Also, the ability to offer others an opportunity to acquire land and settle in an area that would be protected by a capable leader and developer enhanced the success of the settlement. Source: Polly Texas Pioneer Association
Photographed By James Hulse, January 3, 2022
4. The view of the Polly Cemetery and Marker from the parking area
Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 233 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 4, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
