Day Trips: The Liberty Monument, Rowena: Celebrate your freedom to drink at this unique monument – Columns

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Photos by Gerald E. McLeod

The Liberty Monument in Rowena protests the loss of personal freedom when Runnels County went dry in 1911, almost eight years before national prohibition.

The German and Czech farmers in the southern part of the district had succeeded in holding back attempts to ban the sale of alcohol. The change came when a surge in abstinent residents overwhelmed them by 331 votes.

In protest, farmers buried a bottle of whiskey and a bottle of beer in downtown Rowena. They placed a tombstone over the grave of the libations with the inscription: “Here lies our freedom, April 28, 1911.”

It didn’t take long for a thirsty fool to dig up the bottles instead of driving the 30 miles south across the county line to the saloons in San Angelo.

Then, to make the injury worse, someone stole the tombstone. Disgusted by the insult, the 466 community bought another memorial. This is a gray granite obelisk about 4 feet tall that is flanked by a time capsule and anchored in a large concrete slab.

Driving three and a half hours from Austin to pay homage to this humble memorial and grand feel might be a little crazy, but it’s definitely worth the drive when visiting Horny Toad Brewing, the county’s only craft brewery.

Across the street from the monument, the brewery only offers a selection of delicious beers on Saturdays, with live music on the second Saturday of each month. The immigrant farmers would be proud.

The Liberty Monument is located next to the fire station on Edward and Mary Streets. Rowena is also the birthplace of Bonnie Parker of Bonnie and Clyde, and the legendary Lowake Steak House since 1951 serves Horny Toad beer.

1,574. in a row. Follow the travel blog “Day Trips & Beyond” at austinchronicle.com/daily/travel.

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https://www.austinchronicle.com/columns/2021-11-05/day-trips-the-liberty-monument-rowena/