Historical Marker

Davis Cemetery

Marker installed: 2009
Marker size: 27" x 42'

THIS BURIAL GROUND, NAMED FOR THE PIONEERING DAVIS FAMILY, HAS SERVED THIS RURAL SECTION OF HENDERSON COUNTY SINCE THE MID-1800s. IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE EARLY 1870s ON PROPERTY DEEDED BY J.J. DEUPREE IN 1883. THE BAXTER COMMUNITY, OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED BY 1901, WHEN IT BECAME A STATION FOR THE TEXAS AND NEW ORLEANS RAILROAD, IS PARTICULARLY REPRESENTED HERE. SHORTLY AFTER ITS FOUNDING, THE COMMUNITY HAD A POST OFFICE, STORES, CHURCHES, COTTON GINS AND A SCHOOL.

JOHN L. DAVIS (d. 1873) CAME TO TEXAS WITH HIS WIFE, DORCAS (HOLLAND) (d. 1874), AND THEIR FAMILY BY 1850. THEY SETTLED IN HENDERSON COUNTY BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR. ONE OF THEIR SONS, ARCHIBALD MALLARD DAVIS, SERVED AS HENDERSON COUNTY SHERIFF. OTHERS BURIED HERE INCLUDE SCHOOL TRUSTEE AND COMMUNITY LEADER WILLIE E. JOHNSON (d. 1960); CONSTABLE MORTON G. JEPSON (d. 1941); AND HENDERSON COUNTY CHIEF JUSTICE SAMUEL TYNE OWEN (d. 1856), WHO HAS THE EARLIEST MARKED GRAVE IN THE CEMETERY. OWEN WAS REINTERRED HERE FROM ANOTHER GRAVEYARD. THE EARLIEST INTERMENT IN DAVIS CEMETERY IS OF AN INFANT, EZRA DAVIS (d. 1872). ALSO BURIED HERE ARE COMMUNITY LEADERS AND VETERANS OF CONFLICTS DATING TO THE CIVIL WAR.

ADDITIONAL PROPERTY WAS ADDED TO THE BURIAL GROUND IN 1952, 1989 AND 1994. CEMETERY FEATURES INCLUDE VERTICAL STONES, CURBING, UNMARKED GRAVES AND WOODMEN OF THE WORLD MARKERS. IN 1991, THE DAVIS CEMETERY ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED TO CARE FOR THE BURIAL GROUND AND ESTABLISH A TRUST FUND. TODAY, DAVIS CEMETERY ENDURES AS A RECORD OF THE PIONEERING FAMILIES THAT SETTLED AND LIVED IN THIS PORTION OF HENDERSON COUNTY.

HISTORIC TEXAS CEMETERY – 2006

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

gravesites
The first domed stadium in the world, the Astrodome, was built in Houston in 1965 and hosted numerous sporting events and concerts over the years.
Texas random facts
Henderson County, located in the northeastern part of Texas, has a rich and fascinating history. Before the arrival of European settlers, the area was home to various Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Cherokee. The land became a part of the Republic of Texas in 1836 and was formally organized as Henderson County in 1846, named in honor of James Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of Texas.

In the mid-19th century, Henderson County experienced a significant influx of settlers, mainly from the southern United States. These settlers primarily engaged in agriculture, taking advantage of the fertile soils and favorable climate to grow crops such as cotton, corn, and vegetables. The first county seat was established in Athens, which remains the county seat to this day.

During the Civil War, Henderson County, like much of the South, was affected by the conflict. Although there were no significant battles fought in the area, the war had a profound impact on the local economy and social fabric. Many men from Henderson County enlisted in the Confederate Army, and the war's aftermath brought significant challenges and changes to the region.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Henderson County continued to thrive, with the agricultural industry playing a pivotal role in the local economy. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s further bolstered economic development, facilitating the transportation of goods and increasing opportunities for trade. Over time, other industries such as manufacturing and healthcare also emerged. Today, Henderson County remains a vibrant community, preserving its rich heritage while embracing progress and growth.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Henderson County, Texas.

  • 1846 - Henderson County established as a county of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1850 - First census conducted, showing a population of 1,714.
  • 1851 - Athens becomes the county seat.
  • 1861-1865 - Henderson County residents participate in the American Civil War.
  • 1880 - Cotton production becomes a major industry in the county.
  • 1902 - The first oil well is drilled in the county, leading to the development of the oil industry.
  • 1930s-1940s - Henderson County experiences economic growth due to the construction of the Cross Lake Dam and the establishment of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Fish Hatchery and Fish Experiment Station.
  • 1960s-1970s - Lake Palestine and Cedar Creek Lake are created, attracting tourism and real estate development.
  • 1987 - The Henderson County Courthouse is destroyed by fire but is rebuilt and restored.
  • 2000 - The population of Henderson County reaches 73,277.
  • 2019 - Henderson County celebrates its 173rd anniversary since establishment.