Location: Denson #1 Cemetery AKA Joseph Denson Family Cemetery(THC) 3 miles ENE of Grapeland off 2423(1987) Located 3 mi ENE of Grapeland and 2 mi E of US Hwy 287 off FM 2423 in the Union Chapel area. Follow dirt road left at cemetery sign on FM 2423 for .6 mi keeping to the right when it divides to cemetery.(1998) From Grapeland take FM 2423 E to CR 1845 N of .6 mi, keeping to the R when the road divides(USGenWeb) In Union Chapel Community, private cemetery a mi N of FM 2423 on CR 1845THC site visit MB 12-12-04: Grapeland, Tx area. SH 19, US 287 to FM 2423 for 2.1 miles to CR 1845 for 0.6 mile, stay right at multiple Ys and driveways. Adjacent to woodlands, rural residences, pastures. Large open area adjacent to cemetery suggests intended annex running about 400 ft. to S along roadway. Fenced site, sign at gate, with pavillion. Formal markers, unique formal mounding, white sand, scraped earth. Formal markers include mostly uniform commercial markers, also curbing, embellishment of stone, photo enamels. Abundant floral and religious grave materials. Pavillion, storage bldg, maintained privy. Some marker trees, Oaks, Juniper, Pine. Approx 1.51 acres. GPS 31.28.59.34108N –95.26.13.85398W USGS 3195-133Low risk endangerment, THC marker, fenced, maintained, still in use, on map, on road.
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.