San Saba County Historical Commission

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Smelzer (Rough Creek) Cemetery

Location:
The Smelser Cemetery is located in the southeastern sector of San Saba County near the community of Chappel. The cemetery is near Rough Creek above the flood plain on the property of Maldon and Ernestine Norris.

Latitude: 31.0960oN  Longitude: 98.6126oW

Directions:

  • From the Court House Square at the intersection of U.S. 190 and FM 1031 (S. Live Oak) in San Saba:
  • Go south on FM 1031 8.6 miles to CR 414.
  • Turn left onto CR 414 and go 1.1 miles to Norris home.
  • At Norris home, pass through gate and veer right onto pasture road.
  • Follow this road .7 mile to cemetery. (This road is rough and rutted and leads across a narrow cattle guard.)

Conditon:
This cemetery is located in typical hill country pastureland, covered by mesquite, mountain cedar, catclaw, bee brush, prickly pear, tall prairie grass and needle grass. It covers about .6 of an acre, fenced by 3 ft. high chain link fencing with an entrance gate located at mid point in the east fence line. The cemetery is showing signs of recent neglect. Brush and trees need to be removed and heavy growth of tall grass makes it difficult to locate some gravesites.