Historic Cemetery

Courtney-Cedar Hill Cemetery

Texas
Location: Courtney Cemetery, white—Courtney CommunityAKA Courtney Cedar Hill Cemetery—Recorded GRIM11, GRIM12—Parsons. See Also Courtney Cem. for Blacks. H&P, Grimes Co Hist.: p. 63, named for J. E. Groce’s daughter-in-law. Groce family slave holders, large agriculture beginning in 1820s.” p. 729, “Local hist. map, On hill dotted w/ large cedar trees … located 1.5 miles off Hwy 6, approx. 2 blocks from FM 2. Land donated to community by Dugald McAlpine., settler from about 1851, died 1876. No records kept of people buried in cemetery until about 1980. Oldest identifiable grave about 1873. The south end of cem. is full of graves … but deterioration of stones, wooden crosses & iron fences that had surrounded family plots. Only a few spaces are left in cem in NE corner, kept by descendants. Listing of family names. Civil War memorial. 3rd Sunday in May is homecoming at this shady serene cemetery. Approx. 150-200 graves, earliest approx. 1880s.[??]” SEE Cemeteries of Grimes County, vols 1-5 John Maxwell, GCHC. THC Atlas“Located on land which is adjacent to the 1873 subdivision of Courtney known as McAlpine Town, this cemetery was established by developer Dugald McAlpine (1795-1876). The oldest documented grave in the cemetery is that of W. S. Draper (1828-1873). There are some unmarked graves which may date from an earlier period. Those interred here include community leaders, descendants of early settlers, and veterans of the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and Korea. A cemetery association, formed in 1971, cares for the historic graveyard. --Texas AtlasDirections: from Navasota take SH 6 S approximately 9 miles to FM 2; then W on FM 2 approximately 1.2 miles to CR 327; then W on CR 327 approximately .3 miles.”Tombstone/Rootsweb /TxGenWeb, TxDoT map. THC site visit 4/19/04, just N of Courtney, Tx CR 327 at 4th St.,lane to cemetery. Large formal site, formal and informal markers, diversity over time. Abundant floral and decorative grave materials. Some areas appear to be sections different than others. Heavily treed, many Cedar marker trees, also Magnolia, Crape Myrtle, Live Oak. Irises, Roses, Lillies. Some photo enamels. US Veterans, DAR, CSA, Texas Pioneer markers. Fenced, hilltop location. Adjacent to but sepeartely fenced with no connecting gate to Courtney Cem, black. Small town residential, wooded and pasture areas.About 800 ft. from roadway. Approx 2.13 acres. GPS 30.16.19.95613N –96.0352.11191W. Quad 3096-141 Low endangerment: maintained, fenced, near residences, recent burials.

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
The Alamo, a mission in San Antonio, is perhaps the most famous historical site in Texas. It was the site of a key battle during the Texas Revolution in 1836.
Texas random facts
Grimes County, located in southeastern Texas, has a rich and vibrant history that dates back to the early 19th century. The county's origins can be traced back to the establishment of the Stephen F. Austin Colony in the early 1820s. It was named in honor of Jesse Grimes, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The county was officially formed in 1846 when it was separated from Montgomery County.

In its early years, Grimes County played a significant role in the development of the Republic of Texas. It served as an important transportation hub due to its location on the Old San Antonio Road, which connected the different regions of Texas. The construction of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad in the 1850s further enhanced the county's connectivity and promoted economic growth.

The county was not immune to the impact of the American Civil War, which deeply affected Texas as a whole. Grimes County saw its fair share of battles and skirmishes, and many local men enlisted in the Confederate Army. Following the war, the county experienced a period of recovery and reintegration into the post-war society.

Throughout the 20th century, Grimes County has evolved into an important agricultural and industrial center. The growth of the timber industry and the discovery of oil and natural gas reserves in the area brought economic prosperity to the county. Today, Grimes County continues to thrive as a vibrant community, drawing visitors with its beautiful scenery, historical landmarks, and diverse cultural heritage.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Grimes County, Texas.

  • 1821: Grimes County, Texas, was established as a part of Mexico's Coahuila y Tejas province.
  • 1830: The population of Grimes County experienced significant growth due to the influx of American settlers.
  • 1836: Texas declared independence from Mexico, leading to the Texas Revolution.
  • 1837: Grimes County was officially formed and named after Jesse Grimes, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
  • 1850: The advent of railroads in Grimes County resulted in increased trade and economic development.
  • 1861: Texas seceded from the United States and joined the Confederate States of America at the start of the Civil War.
  • 1867: Reconstruction efforts began after the end of the Civil War, aiming to rebuild the county's economy and infrastructure.
  • 1873: Navasota became the county seat, replacing Anderson.
  • 1881: The Houston and Texas Central Railway reached the town of Plantersville, further boosting the area's growth.
  • 1900: The Galveston hurricane of 1900 caused significant devastation in Grimes County and the surrounding region.
  • 1930s: The Great Depression had a major impact on Grimes County, leading to economic hardships and agricultural decline.
  • 1942: The U.S. Army established Camp Hearne in Grimes County during World War II as a prisoner of war camp.
  • Present: Grimes County continues to be a rural area with agriculture as a significant part of its economy.