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Dead Man's Hole

Marble Falls, Burnet County

Marker Text

Entomologist Ferdinand Lueders made the earliest recorded discovery of this cave in 1821. Notorious in the Civil War era, the hole is believed to have been the dumping ground for up to 17 bodies, including those of pro-Union Judge John R. Scott and settler Adolph Hoppe, several Reconstruction-era county government officials, and Ben McKeever, who had a conflict with local freedmen. An oak tree which once stood over the cave was said to have rope marks caused by hangings. Powerful gases prevented thorough exploration of the site until 1951. The hole was platted in 1968 by the Texas Speleological Society and was found to be 155 feet deep and 50 feet long. (1998)

Marker Details

Address CR 401 N
Location Description 2 mi. S of Marble Falls on US 281; .5 mi. E on RM 2147; .5 mi. S on CR 401 N (Shovel Mountain Rd)
Marker # 11772
Dedicated 1998
Size, Type 18" x 28"
Code geology; outlaws; Civil War
Latitude, Longitude 30.528414, -98.264942

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