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

Buchanan Dam

Photographed by James Hulse, February 9, 2026

1. Buchanan Dam Marker

Inscription. In 1931, the Central Texas Hydro-Electric Company planned to build a dam on the Colorado River on the county line of Burnet and Llano counties. However, in April 1932, the project went bankrupt and lay unfinished. State Senator Alvin Wirtz took the project, and, unable to secure private funding, turned to government. Wirtz secured the support of U.S. Representative and chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee J.P. Buchanan by promising to name the dam after him. In 1934, House Bill No. 1 of the 43rd Texas Legislature created the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), a conservation and reclamation district, in order to “control, store, preserve, use, distribute, and sell” the waters of the Colorado River.

In the midst of the Great Depression, Buchanan Dam, often called the Hamilton Dam, and Inks Dam further downriver provided badly needed jobs to Burnet County residents. Locals lined up to receive one of the 1,800 new positions, mostly construction jobs paying 40 cents an hour. The salaries allowed families to maintain a better standard of living as well as supplement their farming income. In October 1937,

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the LCRA celebrated completion of the dam with a ceremony.

Upstream flooding behind the Buchanan Dam, creating Lake Buchanan, had immediate effects on the community. Many long-term residents moved out of the path of the new lake. Around sixty graves interred in Old Bluffton Cemetery were re-interred in New Bluffton in Llano County. The lake’s recreational potential brought new business and residents to Burnet and Llano, and fishing camps and vacation rentals were built near its shore. Since its inception, Buchanan Dam has brought numerous advantages to Burnet County.

Erected 2023 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23913.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1932.

Location. 30° 44.932′ N, 98° 23.78′ W. Marker is near Buchanan Dam, Texas, in Burnet County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 29 and L Debo Drive, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 29. The marker is located on the east side of pedestrian bridge (old SH 29 bridge), west side of L. Debo Road on Burnet

Photographed by James Hulse, February 9, 2026

2. Buchanan Dam Marker

The marker is located on the east side of the Old Highway 29 Bridge

County side of Inks Lake. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Buchanan Dam TX 78609, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: C.S.A. Salt Works (approx. 2.7 miles away); Granite Industry in Llano County (approx. 2.7 miles away); Hoover's Valley Cemetery (approx. 3.2 miles away); Longhorn Cavern Administration Building (approx. 5.2 miles away); Longhorn Caverns (approx. 5.2 miles away); The Antlers Caboose Rooms (approx. 6.6 miles away); Antlers Hotel (approx. 6.6 miles away); McKinley Coach (approx. 6.6 miles away).

Photographed by James Hulse, February 9, 2026

3. Buchanan Dam Marker

The view of the dam from the U.S. Highway 29 bridge over the Colorado River.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 9, 2026

4. Buchanan Dam Marker

The view of the old U.S. Highway 29 bridge from under the new bridge.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 118 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 10, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.