Oakhill Cemetery
Historical marker location:From the 1830s to late 1800s, pioneers settled along roads in this area, establishing dispersed agrarian communities, including Oakhill. Oakhill Baptist Church and this cemetery met the needs of individuals in these settlements. The church was originally located at Caney, but moved here by 1882; the graveyard was also established by the 1880s. While subsistence farming was the main occupation of most working individuals in the area, many supplemented their income through cutting and hauling timber to the Sabine River. By around 1910, lumber companies acquired vast amounts of timbered land in East Texas. However, by the 1930s, the lumber companies, with no reforestation programs in place, had cut most of the timber, and it became difficult for families to survive on subsistence farming, leading to the decline of area communities.
This burial ground was once part of Sabine National Forest, which was established in 1935. Exceptions were made for acreage in special uses, such as burial grounds, but Oakhill Church and cemetery land was not exempted. The error was corrected in 1966, when the U.S. Forest Service conveyed property to the church and cemetery.
The oldest marked grave in Oakhill Cemetery is that of Joseph Adair Smith, Sr. (d. 1882), whose grave was moved from Fairdale Cemetery. A number of other individuals were reinterred here in the 1960s, when water was impounded during the creation of the Toledo Bend Reservoir. The oldest known original interment occurred in 1885 for Philip Stine Edgar, though it is believed earlier burials exist. In 1965, the Oakhill Cemetery Association formed to care for the burial ground. Today, Oakhill Cemetery serves as a testament to the area’s pioneering settlers and early communities
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.
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.
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.
Sabine County Timeline
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.