Historic Cemetery

Shiro Cemetery

Bedias, Texas 77831
Location: Shiro Cemetery—Recorded—Parsons. H&P, Grimes Co Hist.: Local hist. map. TxGenWeb: “cemetery is located on the North side of Highway 30 just West of Shiro. Approx. 200 burials, earliest about 1890s. Index.” Tombstone/Rootsweb: TxDoT map. TxGenWeb: “cemetery is located on the North side of Highway 30 just West of Shiro, Texas. Approx. 500 burials [??], earliest about 1880s. Index. Contact JR Maxwell, Keith TX.” GNIS on Roans Prairie. SEE Cemeteries of Grimes County, vols 1-5 John Maxwell, GCHC.THC site visit MB 4/29/04. On SH 30, just W of Shiro. Large formal fenced site, recent extension W, doubling size. Formal entry, arched gateway. Large Cedar and Oak marker trees, also Mimosa, Crape Myrtle, Roses, Irises, Pomegranate, Pecan, Gardenia, Mimosa. Recent burials. Abundant floral and religious and decorative grave materials. Well. Diversity of formal markers over time, some informal. Adjacent to but separate from Spanish Cem. Adjacent to pastures, busy SH 30. Medium risk of endangerment: busy roadway, hwy expansion, but site maintained, fenced, still in use. Quad 3095-324Approx 3.3 acres. GPS 30.36.18.81243N –95.54.12.77173W. Quad 3095-324Low risk of endangerment, fenced, maintained, still in use, sign, cemetery assoc.

To address the problem of cemetery destruction and to record as many cemeteries as possible, the Texas Historical Commission offers the Historic Texas Cemetery designation.

The Historic Texas Cemetery designation was developed in 1998 to help protect historic cemeteries by recording cemetery boundaries in county deed records to alert present and future owners of land adjacent to the cemetery of its existence. Every county in Texas has at least one cemetery designated as a Historic Texas Cemetery through this program. The HTC designation is the first step toward preservation of a historic cemetery.

A cemetery is eligible for designation if it is at least 50 years old and is deemed worthy of recognition for its historical associations. The very nature of a cemetery being a landmark of a family’s or community’s presence is considered to validate the criteria of historical associations. Any individual, organization, or agency may submit a request for designation.