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Guadalupe Cemetery, Caldwell County, Texas
Grave Concerns in Texas, August 2024
A publication of the Cemetery Preservation Program
The Cemetery Preservation Program of the THC supports cemetery preservation efforts in each of the 254 counties across the state. Cemetery Preservation Program staff provides consultation, educational materials, and training to concerned citizens and public officials. In addition, the program offers the Historic Texas Cemetery (HTC) designation and maintains a statewide inventory of cemeteries to record and protect historic burial grounds. Click here to learn more about our work.
Headstone of Rev. Henry Jefferson, founder of Hopewell Freedom Colony.
HTC Highlight: Hopewell Cemetery
One of the highlights of our summer was the historic designation of the burial ground for the Hopewell freedom colony in Falls County, Texas. Hopewell was established in the early 1870s by the Revered Henry Jefferson and William Moton, two self-emancipated African American men brought to Texas during the Civil War. Jefferson and Moton purchased 200 acres in eastern Falls County in 1875,settling with several other formerly enslaved families.
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At its height, the farming community included a Baptist church, a school, a Masonic meeting hall, a store, and the Hopewell Cemetery. The oldest marked grave in the cemetery dates from 1882, though older unmarked graves almost certainly exist.
The parcel containing Hopewell Cemetery was purchased from Rev. Jefferson’s heirs by neighboring landowner Hattie Ford Bassett in 1915. However, the cemetery remained in use by the African American community for many decades.
Now, under the stewardship of Preservation Texas as part of the Bassett Farms Conservancy, the documentation and preservation of Hopewell Cemetery is taking place in partnership with freedom colony descendants and community members rediscovering the deep history of Reconstruction-era Black settlements in Texas.
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Historic Texas Cemetery Honor Role
We’re thrilled to announce that 28 cemeteries have received HTC designations since May 1! Congratulations to the following cemeteries:
  Want to designate a historic cemetery you care about? Visit our website to get more information, watch a how-to video, and download the application.
A Reason to Celebrate!
The Historic Texas Cemetery designation program reached a significant milestone this summer—we’ve officially designated 2,500 cemeteries! The program was created in 1996 as a way to help protect cemeteries. The very first cemetery designated through the program was Bolivar Cemetery, located in northwest Denton County.
The honor of being number 2,500 goes to Saul Cemetery, in rapidly-growing Williamson County. It’s one of many cemeteries the Williamson County Historical Commission’s Cemetery Restoration Volunteers have documented through the HTC program this year.
Every county in Texas has at least one HTC-designated cemetery. But some counties have many more! Navarro County leads the way with 76 HTCs. Harris, Austin, Travis, Collin, and Williamson counties are home to over 50 HTCs each. How many cemeteries in your county are designated as HTCs? Use the search function in our Texas Historic Sites Atlas to find out. New to searching the Atlas? Get help in this handy guide.
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Famous Graves - Blind Lemon Jefferson
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It’s been a bluesy summer folks, that’s why we’re visiting the grave of Blind Lemon Jefferson (1893–1929), Texas-born pioneering blues guitarist and recording star of the 1920s.
Jefferson’s fame as a street musician in East Texas and the Deep Ellum area of Dallas took him to Paramount’s recording studio in Chicago, where he cemented his legacy on over 100 wax recordings, bringing Texas blues to a national audience.
Jefferson died in Chicago on December 22, 1929, and was buried in the Wortham Negro Cemetery near his birthplace in Freestone County, Texas. His grave was unmarked until 1967 when a Texas Historical Marker was dedicated to him.
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In 2007, the cemetery was rededicated as Blind Lemon Memorial Cemetery to honor Wortham’s African American community and the “Father of Texas Blues.” Jefferson’s headstone is inscribed with the words to one of his most famous songs: “See That My Grave is Kept Clean.”
Shout-Out to Lubbock CHC
Congratulations to the Lubbock County Historical Commission! Thanks to their diligent efforts over the past several years, all 11 of the county's known, eligible cemeteries have received the official Historic Texas Cemetery designation. This is a significant achievement!
On Saturday, August 17, Lubbock CHC unveiled an Official Texas Historical Marker at the grave of Paul Whitfield Horn, the first President of Texas Technological College. Horn is buried in the City of Lubbock Cemetery, the first cemetery in Lubbock County to be designated as an HTC in 2002.
In this photo, Lubbock CHC appointees celebrate the 2023 dedication of Wolfforth Cemetery's official historical marker with Mary Sowell, head of Wolfforth Cemetery Association.
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Historic Texas Cemeteries in the News
 Real Places 2025: Call for Proposals
Are you passionate about preserving Texas history? The THC invites you to share your expertise at the 2025 Real Places Conference, happening April 23-25, 2025! This premier event will bring together preservation professionals, government officials, and engaged citizens to shape the future of historic conservation in Texas.
We welcome proposals for lightning rounds, traditional panels, hands-on workshops, roundtable discussions, and academic poster presentations. This is a fantastic opportunity to network with industry leaders and contribute to Texas' rich cultural heritage. Submit your proposal by September 2.
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