Bluff Trail Overlook

Bluff Trail Overlook. . The bluff stands 80 feet above the Colorado River at Wilbarger Bend. Josiah Wilbarger was an early settler whose family owned the land on the opposite side of the river during the 1800s. Josiah was one of a few Texans who were scalped and lived to tell the story. There was also a lumber mill just east (downstream) of this overlook, known as McKinney's Mill. The mill was located on the Colorado River to transport pine, cedar and cottonwood lumber to surrounding communities along the river. The steep bluffs and canyons that are the namesakes of McKinney Roughs are the remnants of ancient oyster beds and offshore reefs. These areas are harder ground than the surrounding sandy soils that have eroded away to form the steep canyons within the park., WILBARGER, JOSIAH PUGH (1801-1844) Josiah Pugh Wilbarger was one of the earliest settlers in Texas. Wilbarger and his wife Margaret arrived at Matagorda on Dec. 26, 1827. Wilbarger taught at Matagorda for a year before moving to La Grange, where he taught and did surveying until he settled in Stephen F. Austin's colony in a bend of the Colorado River 10 miles above the site of present Bastrop. This is the land on the opposite side of the river. He was granted a league of land (about 4,428 acres) in January 1832. In August 1833, Wilbarger was a member of a surveying party that was attacked by Native Americans near Pecan Springs, about four miles east of the site of present Austin. He was scalped but was still alive when he was found the next day by Reuben Hornsby, and was taken to the Horsnby home for treatment. Wilbarger never completely recovered from his wound, although he lived for about 11 more years. He died at his home near Bastrop on April 11, 1844, survived by his wife and five children.