Near Buffalo in San Saba County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Bowser Community

Photographed by James Hulse, December 29, 2023

1. Bowser Community Marker

Inscription. About 1858 the Abel Bowser family settled at a large bend in the Colorado River about 3 miles north of this site. The developing village, school and cemetery became known as Bowser Bend and by the late 1880s included a cotton gin and store. Due to river floods, Paul Varga donated land at this site for a chapel and cemetery in 1890. In the early 1900s J.T. Martin sold town lots and deeded land for a school one-half mile east. The town of Bowser relocated, but the closure of the post office, gin and school caused it to decline in the 1940s.

Erected 1990 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 476.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 31° 24.312′ N, 98° 58.864′ W. Marker is near Buffalo, Texas, in San Saba County. It is on County Road 407 ¼ mile south of County Road 245, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located at the front entrance to the Varga Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rochelle TX 76872, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big 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: Adams Cemetery (approx. 6½ miles away); Buffalo-Ebony Cemetery (approx. 7.1 miles away); Regency Suspension Bridge (approx. 8 miles away); a different marker also named Regency Suspension Bridge (approx. 8.3 miles away); Cowboy Cemetery (approx. 9.2 miles away); First State Bank in Richland Springs

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(approx. 9.3 miles away); First State Bank Building (approx. 9.3 miles away); John Duncan's Fort (approx. 9.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buffalo.

Also see . . . Bowser, TX. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on January 5, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed by James Hulse, December 29, 2023

2. Bowser Community Marker

The view of the Bowser Community Marker in the Varga Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, December 29, 2023

3. The view of the Bowser Community Marker in the Varga Cemetery

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 3, 2026

4. Bowser Community Marker

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 3, 2026

5. Bowser Community Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 329 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 5, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 4, 5. submitted on August 4, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.