For the second gathering of the Fuller Circle, the Austin History Center Association (AHCA) welcomed Ken Roberts, author of The Cedar Choppers: Life on the Edge of Nothing. A retired economics professor from Southwestern University, Roberts spent decades studying marginalized rural communities around the world. Yet, it was the cedar choppers—rugged, self-sufficient people living just west of Austin—who truly captured his fascination.
A Forgotten Chapter of Texas History
During his talk, Roberts described the cedar choppers as a fiercely independent, self-sufficient community that took root in the Texas Hill Country after the Civil War. Unlike farmers who abandoned their land when prices fell, these families endured—living off the land, cutting cedar for fence posts, making charcoal, and even running moonshine. Many traced their lineage to Scots-Irish migrants, carrying with them Appalachian traditions, a distinct dialect, and a deep-seated distrust of authority.
The evening took on a personal touch when Jeffrey Dochin shared childhood memories of growing up near Westlake’s cedar chopper families. He recounted a story about Raymond Teague, a man who lived in a small cabin without running water yet always had enough money for Lone Star beer and snuff for his sister, Tiny.
Bridging Past and Present
Roberts took the audience on a journey through his research, which began at the Austin History Center, where he pored over old newspaper articles, oral histories, and archival photographs. He recalled listening to Emmett Shelton’s recorded interviews—detailed accounts of every family, backroad, and feud that shaped cedar chopper history. His work paints a vivid portrait of a community defined by both hardship and resilience, where families lived in tents, washed clothes in the creek, and carved out a living on their own terms.
Throughout the evening, Roberts brought history to life with tales of moonshiners outwitting the law, children growing up in the cedar breaks, and outsiders who underestimated the community’s grit. He explained how cedar choppers were often dismissed as hillbillies or outlaws, a reputation that only fueled their defiant spirit. He even shared a personal memory from the 1960s, when he tried to step into a cedar chopper dance hall—only to be turned away at the door for looking too much like a city kid in Madras plaid shorts.
A Fuller Circle
The event highlighted the importance of preserving and sharing Austin’s overlooked histories, particularly those of communities often left out of mainstream narratives. More than just a history lesson, the Fuller Circle series serves as a bridge—connecting people to AHCA’s mission and ensuring these stories live on.
Attendees left with signed copies of Roberts’ book, a richer understanding of Austin’s past, and a renewed appreciation for the city’s diverse cultural fabric. AHCA welcomes both members and non-members to future events, inviting them to help make Austin’s history more accessible, engaging, and complete.
