San Saba County Historical Commission

Merrill Graves

Location: 

    The Merrill graves are located in west San Saba County on the Threadgill  Ranch in the Algerita community. The Threadgill property was once a  part of the Polk Ranch. The Poe and Merrill families once owned parts of  the Polk Ranch. The Merrill graves are located in a pasture a short distance from the Robert Polk home site.

Directions:             

From San Saba city limit (west) on U. S. 190. 
Go west 7.9 miles to CR 340. 
Turn left off U. S. 190 onto CR 340. Go 1.0 mile on CR 340 to a sharp right turn with a gate on the left into the Threadgill Ranch. (Gate is locked.) 
Turn left through gate and follow a meandering pasture road 1.0 mile to Merrill gravesites. (A guide is required to lead the way to the graves, which are hidden from view in a dense growth of mesquite, live oak and bee brush.)

Condition: 
 
The Merrill graves are located on an overlook of the San Saba River valley a short distance north of the confluence of Dry Creek and the San Saba River. The burial plot is surrounded by the remains of a rock fence. The fence was constructed of rectangular slabs of native sandstone. Many of the upper slabs have been displaced and have fallen into the enclosure, which measures about 12 feet by 12 feet.

The burial plot is hidden from view in a surrounding growth of live oak mesquite, cactus and bee brush. Much brush had to be cut away in order to gain access to the burial plot. Much leaf debris and decayed wood had to be removed from around the tombstones and heavy scrubbing with brush and water was required to bring the aged inscriptions into view.