Unknown (E Across From Fairhaven Cem) Cemetery
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.
The county was officially founded in 1884 and named after Wylie Martin, an early settler and a prominent figure in the community. Agriculture quickly became a vital part of the county's economy, with cotton, corn, and wheat being the primary crops grown by the early pioneers. The population grew steadily, and small towns began to emerge, including Stanton, the county seat.
In the early 20th century, the discovery of oil brought significant changes to Martin County. Oil rigs started popping up, attracting a wave of new residents and boosting the local economy. The oil boom led to a rapid period of growth and prosperity, with the county becoming a prominent player in the state's oil industry.
Despite the economic success, Martin County faced challenges during the Great Depression, which resulted in a decline in oil production and widespread financial struggles. However, the county managed to weather the storm and recover in the following years. Today, Martin County continues its legacy as an agricultural and oil-producing region, while also embracing its vibrant history and cultural heritage.
Martin County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Martin County, Texas.
- 1886 - Martin County is formed and named after W.H. Martin, a Texas soldier killed during the Battle of Alamo.
- 1903 - The first post office is established in the county.
- 1907 - The town of Stanton is founded as the county seat.
- 1926 - Oil is discovered in the county, leading to an economic boom.
- 1928 - The first oil well, Tubb-Brothers No. 1, is drilled in Martin County.
- 1930 - The population of Martin County reaches its peak at over 8,000 people.
- 1947 - Martin County experiences an oil boom due to the discovery of the Spraberry Trend.
- 1967 - The county suffers an economic downturn when the Spraberry Trend runs out of oil.
- 1973 - Stanton becomes a Class A school district.
- 1984 - Martin County experiences another oil boom with the discovery of the Wolfcamp Shale.
- 1998 - The Martin County Library is established.
- 2009 - Martin County celebrates its 125th anniversary.