“Leanderthal Lady”

The geology and weather of Leander, Texas has preserved a number of amazing fossils. Back in 1983, a woman’s skeletal remains were found on a construction site. After close examination it was determined she was 10,000 to 13,000 years old. This site was one of the earliest intact burials ever found in the United States. This prehistoric woman was dubbed the “Leanderthal Lady”. 

These days, the Leanderthal Lady is kept at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory at The University of Texas’ J.J. Pickle Research Campus in Austin. Her story and burial site is preserved by a historical marker placed by the Texas Historical Commission and is accessible to visitors.

Dinosaur Tracks

Dating back much further than the Leanderthal Lady, our rich history includes evidence of dinosaur life from 113 to 110 million years ago! During this period known to archaelogists as the Early Cretaceous age, Leander was home to Acrocanthosaurus dinosaurs. Approximately 12 footprints thought to be made by these Tyrannosaurus Rex-like creatures are preserved in a local riverbed.

These three-toed tracks are located about a half mile west from the Hwy 183 bridge that crosses the South Fork of the San Gabriel River. It’s possible to hike down to see the tracks, but keep in mind this area is not a publicly maintained park and there is no access to restrooms or water. More information about this location is available here.

Bagdad Cemetery

Opened in 1857, Bagdad Cemetery was first established as a burial ground for the town of Bagdad, which predated Leander’s formation. Among the early residents was Charles Babcock, whose donated one acre of land to be used for the cemetery upon the death of his three year-old son John.

The cemetery serves as a final resting place for several Civil War veterans, including Col CC Mason, who also served as the town’s first Postmaster. Col Mason’s gravestone is the tallest in the cemetery.

Bagdad Cemetery also appears in the 1974 film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and is included in the Texas Film Commission’s Thrills and Chills Film Trail.

Pickle-Mason House

Leander resident and master carpenter Andrew Porter Pickle built this home for his growing family in 1871. Together with his wife Isabella, they had 12 children to accommodate in this house! Sadly, Isabella passed away in 1891, but the rest of the family remained in the house for 42 years until 1913.

Mr. Pickle’s skilled woodworking can be seen the two-part construction of this house, as well in other Leander homes and churches of the time.

Leander Presbyterian Church

The Leander Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. R. M. Overstreet on February 14, 1857 in Bagdad, about one mile west of present-day Leander. The original worshippers gathered in a one-room log cabin until the church was built in 1882. It was first known as Pleasant Hill Presbyterian in homage to a church of the same name in the founding parishioner’s home states of North and South Carolina.

Today, the church building is still actively in use and many of its present-day worshippers are descendants of the founders. The building has seen some renovations over the years; most notably the addition of the steeple in 2010.

Leander Methodist Church

Like its sister Presbyterian church, the Leander Methodist Church began in nearby Bagdad, around 1860. It had humble beginnings, with parishioners first meeting in a one-room school house and then a Masonic lodge. Then in 1879, the sanctuary was finally constructed. With the expansion of the railroad, nearby Leander was growing rapidly and the church members decided to relocate to the present location. The original sanctuary was physically moved by a team of mules!

Many prominent area leaders have been members here. The current church has been renovated and continues to serve the Leander community.