Historic Cemetery

Gravel Hill-Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery

Texas
Location: SB-C010 Gravel Hill Cemetery-Antioch Church Cemetery AKA Gravelhill AKA Antioch Missionary Baptist Church& CemeteryAKA Connville CommunityUSGS point3193-233 Gravel Hill Cemetery, AKA Antioch Missionary Baptist CemeterySabine Co Hist Soc : Church now named Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Off FM1592, access road, east of Rosevine USGS shows east of Rosevine, access road off of Hwy 1592, beside church. Sabine Co Hist Soc, Rootsweb: some photos. (ck website for update!!)Community hist.: “community of Gravelhill (at one time known as Connville) 7 miles north of Hemphill on FM 1592 … had its beginning on land granted to Joseph Mott by the Mexican government on June 20, 1835, and not long after this date it became a growing and established community” [Website note: “Gravel Hill Church, now known as Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, has its church homecoming and cemetery working every year on the Saturday before Mother's day. They would be glad to see some new or old faces! Covered dish.”]THC site visit MB 6/30/04: Rosevine, Tx area. On FM 1592 about 2.5 miles W of intersection with FM 2784. Cem. to W of church, adjacent to roadway. Large fenced formal site, entrance on E side near church. Great diversity of formal and informal markers over time, large and small. Some unique markers, fieldstone petrified wood. Some photo enamels. Sculptures, obelisks, curbing, gravel, mounding, obelisks, benches. Abundant floral and deocrative materials. San Augustine grass in some areas. Large Oaks at back, some Cedar marker trees. US veterans, WoW, Masonic. Approx 1.75 acres. GPS 31.24.15.33141N –93.55.44.66840W. Quad 3193-233. Low risk of endangerment: associated church, fenced, on map, visible from road, still in use, maintained. Tx Co Hwy map on-line.

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 state of Texas was once an independent country known as the Republic of Texas. It gained independence from Mexico in 1836 and was a separate nation until it was annexed by the United States in 1845.
Texas random facts
Sabine County, located in the eastern region of Texas, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was initially inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Atakapa tribes, who relied on the fertile land and abundant water sources for sustenance. European exploration of the region began in the 16th century when Spanish expeditions led by Alonso Álvarez de Pineda explored the Gulf Coast, including the Sabine River.

In the early 19th century, Sabine County became a part of the newly established Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. The area attracted American settlers who were lured by the fertile soil for farming and the potential for trade along the Sabine River. One influential settler, James Gaines, established the city of Milam in 1835, which would later become the county seat of Sabine County.

The history of Sabine County is closely intertwined with the struggle for independence and the establishment of the Republic of Texas. During the Texas Revolution, the area witnessed several significant events, such as the Battle of Nacogdoches in 1832 and the Battle of Gaines' Ferry in 1836. After Texas gained independence from Mexico in 1836, Sabine County became a part of the newly formed Republic of Texas.

As the years went by, Sabine County experienced various economic booms and downturns, primarily driven by industries such as timber and oil. The timber industry played a vital role in the county's early development, with sawmills and logging camps becoming prominent features of the local economy. In the early 20th century, the discovery of oil led to a short-lived but significant oil boom in the area, attracting numerous companies and workers.

Today, Sabine County remains a vibrant and diverse community, with a mix of rural and urban areas. Its rich history is celebrated through various cultural events and landmarks, showcasing its role as an integral part of Texas's heritage.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Sabine County, Texas.

  • 1836: Sabine County is established and organized as a county of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1843: The town of Hemphill is established as the county seat of Sabine County.
  • 1854: The Sabine Pass Lighthouse is constructed on the Sabine Pass.
  • 1861: Sabine County residents vote overwhelmingly in favor of secession from the Union.
  • 1881: The Texas State Penitentiary is established in Sabine County.
  • 1936: Toledo Bend Reservoir, one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States, is completed along the Sabine River.
  • 1957: The Sabine River Authority of Texas is created to manage the water resources of the Sabine River Basin.
  • 1976: The Sabine County Historical Commission is established to preserve and promote the county's history.
  • 1990: The Sabine County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.