Near Rockdale in Milam County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Bushdale Community

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 18, 2025

1. Bushdale Community Marker

Inscription. The community of Bushdale was founded in this area of Milam County by German immigrants in the 1870s. Within ten years the population of the county doubled and the Bushdale area developed into a thriving farming community.

A community cemetery was established on land owned by John and Johanna Broeckl. In 1878, school trustees Herman Henniger, John Timmerman, Sr., and Paul Pieper purchased two acres south of the cemetery for five dollars. A schoolhouse was erected on the site and it also served as a church on Sundays. In 1883 the Reverend Immanuel Glatzel organized Peace Lutheran Church. A church and parsonage were built on a seven-acre parcel of land donated by Herman Henniger.

John and Martha Brockenbush operated a general store in the community, and a cotton gin and blacksmith shop were established by Gustav Backhaus in 1883. A two-story dance hall erected by the Herman Sons Lodge was the site of many social activities.

The Bushdale community gradually declined. Peace Lutheran Church moved to nearby Rockdale in 1909, and the school was closed in 1949. The cemetery is the only remnant of this once active community.

Erected 1997

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by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7938.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 30° 40.942′ N, 97° 2.548′ W. Marker is near Rockdale, Texas, in Milam County. It is on Farm to Market Road 908 half a mile east of County Road 305, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2752 FM908, Rockdale TX 76567, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Coffield House (approx. 2.8 miles away); Site of the Mission San Ildefonso (approx. 2.9 miles away); The Kay Theater (approx. 3 miles away); First Christian Church

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 18, 2025

2. Bushdale Community Marker

(approx. 3 miles away); Matinee Musical Club (approx. 3 miles away); George Sessions Perry (approx. 3.1 miles away); First Baptist Church of Rockdale (approx. 3.1 miles away); Site of Mundine Hotel (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rockdale.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 23, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.