Historic Cemetery

Bowdoin Family Cemetery

a.k.a. Bowdoin Graves #1, Bowdin Family Cemetery, Bowdin

Grapeland, Texas 75844
Location: Driving Directions:From SH 7, west of Crockett, go 5.5 miles south on FM 132 (or 3.0 miles south of Porter Springs). Cemetery is located in pasture behind house approx. 175 ft. north of road.The cemetery is highly endangered. It is not a map feature, and there are no cemetery signs posted. The cemetery is located on private property, and the only access is through a private, gated pasture. The cemetery is fully fenced, but several very large trees have fallen across the fence. The cemetery is overgrown and does not appear to be regularly maintained. Cemetery features include cast iron, marble, and granite markers. A metal pipe and an axle may mark two graves as well. Cemetery visitors should be aware of several very aggressive pit bulls living on the property adjoining the cemetery. During this survey, one of the pit bulls freed itself from its leash and approached the cemetery surveyor, at which time the survey was terminated.

Source: RIP Fields Table

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.

gravesites