Kyle's Historical Markers

The City of Kyle has over a 100 years of history. Each of the historical landmarks located throughout the city represents our communities unique past.

Kyle Auction Oak -Located at 204 S. Sledge St.

Established as a historical marker in 1992

The International-Great Northern Railroad needed a station between Austin and San Marcos. A deal was made with property owners David Moore and Fergus Kyle and 200 acres of their former land was auctioned off in 1880 under the Kyle Auction Oak.

Kyle Cemetery - Located at 2601 S Old Stagecoach Rd.

Established as a historical marker in 1992

The Kyle Cemetery is the oldest community cemetery. It holds the remains of some of the earliest Hays County settlers, including: 
Major Edward Burleson – Veteran of the Mexican War and probably one of the most prominent men in the history of this area. 
Fergus Kyle – Colonel Claiborne Kyle's son and the person for whom the town of Kyle was named. 

San Vicente Cemetery - Located at 700 S Old Stagecoach Rd.

The land for the San Vicente Cemetery was donated in the early 1900's by Vicente Gonzales to insure that early Hispanic citizens of Kyle would have a proper burial. Before Gonzales donated the land, most Hispanics were buried on the property owned by the ranchers who employed them.

Sky View Cemetery - Located at 1921 Old Stagecoach Rd.

A large and well-kept cemetery covering about four acres located just north of the Kyle Cemetery, the Skyview Cemetery is the final resting place for many of Kyle's African-American citizens. The oldest marked grave is that of Mary Kirby (1895), followed by Hattie Washington and Annie Hamilton (1899). It is likely that burials occurred between these dates, but the graves are no longer marked.

Claiborne Kyle Log House - Located at 2400 Old Stagecoach Rd.

Established as a historical marker in 1981

Today, the log house is listed as a historical landmark. Built by slave labor, it is made of cedar logs, square notched at the corners, and secured by wooden pegs. Between the logs, alternating grout composed of rock and caliche were applied. Aesthetically, the Claiborne Kyle Log House is square-barbell shaped with two matching double room sections separated by a 10 by 6 foot dogtrot. This layout is extremely rare, and, in fact, this "linear four-pen dog trot" is the only one of its kind left in Texas. The log house is home to events like "Blooms Over the Blanco" and "The Annual Chicken Friend Dinner" which help fundraise the upkeep for the site.    

Katherine Anne Porter Childhood Home - Located at 508 Center St. in Downtown Kyle

Established as a historical marker in 2002

One of America's most distinguished writers, Katherine Anne Porter, lived in this house on Center Street from 1892-1901. The Katherine Anne Porter House was designated as a National Literary Landmark on June 13, 2002 by the Friends of Libraries USA and the Library of Congress. First Lady Laura Bush was on hand at the dedication.

Bunton Branch Bridge - Located at 201 Co Rd. 136

Established as a historical marker in 2012

The Bunton Branch Bridge was constructed in 1915 under a federal aid program to improve rural delivery of mail on the Austin-San Antonio road. The small concrete arch bridge has the distinction of being the oldest concrete bridge in Hays County, and one of only a few surviving bridges left on the old Austin-San Antonio Post Road.

First Baptist Church of Kyle - Located at 400 West Center Street

Established as a historical marker in 1972

The church moved to Kyle in 1881 and changed its name to the First Baptist Church. In 1940, the building was destroyed by a fire and the members of the church held services inside the Kyle City Hall. A new building, organ and furnishings were dedicated free of debt on June 6, 1948. The church celebrated 100 years of witness on September 10, 1972, and a Texas State Historical Marker commemorating the organization of the Baptist congregation was dedicated. The present sanctuary was erected in 1985.

Beef for the Confederacy - Located at Mile Marker 221 just south of Kyle on IH-35

Established as a historical marker in 1965

Between 1861 and 1865 in Hays County, as in the rest of Texas, beef production for the Confederacy was a major patriotic service.

Historic Kyle City Hall - Located at 109 Burleson Rd. in Downtown Kyle Square

The construction of Kyle City Hall represented a significant achievement for the small rural town and reflected the optimism of its citizens that the town would continue to grow and prosper in the early 20th century. The historic building is now home to KASZ (Kyle Area Senior Zone) and is available to rent for special events.

Historical Markers not available to the public:

M.G. Michaelis Ranch - Located at 3600 W. FM 150 (not open to the public)

The M.G. Michaelis Ranch is an excellent example of a surviving historic ranch compound in Hays County.

Cora Jackman Donalson House - Located 200 S. Sledge (not open to the public)

Established as a historical marker in 2009

This is a beautiful example of architecture from the early 1900's, and has remained virtually unchanged since 1930.

Blanco Chapel - Located on a private ranch in West Kyle (not open to public)

Established as a historical marker in 1965