Ranger to be honored in weekend ceremony

by Alexandria Randolph

An iconic figure of Burnet County history will be honored Saturday, Oct. 25, for his service in the Texas Rangers of old, only a few days from the 104th anniversary of his death.

Christian Dorbandt, born Dec. 12, 1818 and deceased Oct. 28, 1910, will be recognized in a Texas Ranger Memorial Cross Service at South San Gabriel Cemetery on CR 322 on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m.

The service is open to the public.

Dorbandt came to America at age 34 from Denmark and served in the US Army during the Mexican War in the 1840s before being stationed at Fort Croghan in Burnet County.

Dorbandt built the rock house that shares his name in Backbone Valley, which is now along US 281 in Marble Falls.

Dorbandt was a captain in the Texas Rangers, and his living descendant in Burnet County, Tommye Dorbandt-Potts, is a member of the Former Texas Rangers Association by lineage.
Dorbandt-Potts said she and her family had sought a cross memorial for her great-grandfather for the past year, but has faced recently personal challenges that delayed the ceremony.

For the full story, see Tuesday's Highlander.