Waller County
Cemetery Photographs
Liendo Plantation Cemetery
Liendo Plantation was built in 1853 by Leonard Waller Groce, the son of Jared
Groce, who was one of the largest most respected land owners in Texas.
Originally a Spanish land grant of 67,000 acres assigned to Justo Liendo, the
plantation's namesake, Liendo was one of Texas' earliest cotton plantations.
It was considered the social center of Texas receiving & lavishly entertaining
early Texas dignitaries & notorieties. Liendo was considered a typical
Southern plantation, having over 300 slaves & being itself built by slave
labor. Sufficient in all its needs; it was a self contained community. Like most
Southern plantations, however, Liendo fell on hard times after the Civil War and
changed owners several times thereafter.
Liendo had always been recognized for its warm Southern hospitality, but few
people know that this same tradition of generosity probably saved it from
destruction. Among the more notable statesmen & historical figures that have
spent time at Liendo was George A. Custer.
At the end of the Civil War, he was stationed at Liendo. It is said that both
Mr. Custer & his wife were so impressed with the plantation & the gracious
hospitality shown to them during their stay, that they made sure Liendo was not
harmed in way in appreciation.
Liendo was also occupied by world renowned sculptress Elisabet Ney & her
husband Dr. Edmond Montgomery from 1873 to 1911. She & her husband had
immigrated years before from Europe to the United States but had never found a
new home until they found Liendo. It is reported that Elisabet, upon arriving at
Liendo, walked out on the balcony, threw out her arms & said "This is where I
will live & die." She lived out her life at Liendo, commuting to her art
studio in Austin. She & Dr. Montgomery are buried on the Plantation grounds.
She sculpted many notable works, two of her most recognized pieces being the
statues of Stephen F. Austin & Sam Houston which now stand in the state
capitol.
In 1960 Carl & Phylis Detering purchased Liendo from Miss Willene Compton and
began their 10 year job of restoring the plantation home. Traveling throughout
the deep South & Europe, the Deterings acquired period furnishings and
faithfully restored Liendo to its former glory. Liendo is recognized as a Texas
historic landmark & is listed on the national register of historic places.
Today, Will Detering owns & operates Liendo Plantation & continues the work
of preserving & sharing this Texas landmark.
GPS: Latitude: 30.10052, Longitude: -96.03383
Copyright © 1997-present USGenWeb Project Archives