Burnet in Burnet County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Peter Kerr, 1795-1861

Photographed by James Hulse, July 25, 2025

1. Peter Kerr, 1795-1861 Marker

Inscription. One of "Old 300" of Stephen F. Austin's first colony from Pennsylvania, took part in 1836 War for Texas Independence, he made and lost several stakes.

In 1851 bought a league and labor of Burnet County land, including site of Fort Croghan.

Amassed wealth as Army beef contractor, gave 100 acres and town square for Burnet County Seat. To build a college here he willed $23,500 and 6,359 acres of land to Burnet. The will was broken; city got a 2-acre site for a public school. It is said "He never refused to help when he observed its need."

Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 9723.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 30° 45.409′ N, 98° 14.272′ W. Marker is in Burnet, Texas, in Burnet County. It can be reached from the intersection of Buchanan Drive (State Highway 29) and Fort Croghan Drive. The marker is located on the grounds of the Fort Croghan Historical Museum complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 703 Buchanan Drive, Burnet TX 78611, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stage Stop Building (here, next to this marker);

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Fort Croghan Stone Building (here, next to this marker); Kincheloe Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Croghan Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Logan Vandeveer (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lookout Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Fort Croghan (about 500 feet away); Rocky Rest (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burnet.

More about this marker. This marker has been relocated to the Fort Croghan Museum grounds in Burnet, TX

Also see . . . Peter Kerr: Founder of Burnet and Texas Pioneer. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

Peter Kerr (Carr), one of the Old Three Hundred and founder of Burnet, was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on September 12, 1795. With his partner, William Kerr, he received title to a league of land now in Washington County on August 10, 1824; it is not clear how they disposed of the land. In 1824 Kerr landed on Matagorda Bay and proceeded overland to Victoria, where he established
Photographed by Barry Caraway, August 2002

2. Peter Kerr 1795-1861 Marker - Old Location
a mercantile business. In the census of 1826 he was classified as a merchant and had three servants. Soon thereafter he was robbed on a trading expedition among Indians northwest of Victoria, and a marriage he had contracted with a Spanish girl in Victoria was refused by her father because Kerr had become penniless. Kerr received insurance money for his charter ship, which was wrecked in a storm. With the money he bought a hack and a pair of horses, which he wrecked on his first trip. After a visit to his family in Pennsylvania, he returned to New Orleans, purchased a still, and put it on a ship to Texas; unfortunately, the ship sailed without him. In 1835 Fernando De León, José María Jesús Carbajal, and Kerr drove a herd of horses to New Orleans and sold them in exchange for merchandise for the Texas trade and for arms and munitions for the Texas army. The Hannah Elizabeth, transporting the goods, was captured by the Mexican Bravo but was recaptured by the William Robbins (later the Liberty), a Texas privateer. Kerr secured permission to retain possession of the goods by paying half of their cost.

(Submitted on July 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Peter Kerr, 1795-1861 Marker and the Fort Croghan Stone Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 25, 2025

3. The view of the Peter Kerr, 1795-1861 Marker and the Fort Croghan Stone Building

The view of the marker on the grounds of Fort Croghan image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 25, 2025

4. The view of the marker on the grounds of Fort Croghan

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2010, by JoAnn Myers of Burnet, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,294 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2. submitted on March 26, 2010, by JoAnn Myers of Burnet, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on July 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.