Historic Cemetery

Bethel-Hardshell Cemetery

a.k.a. Old Bethel Cemetery, Sandflat Community Cemetery, Baptist Church Cemetery, Hardshell-Bethel Cemetery, Bethel Cemetery, Hardshell Baptist Church Cemetery, Frankston Cemetery

Texas
Location: From the loop in Tyler , drive S on 155 (about 26 miles) thru the town of Frankston. Look for sign on the right side of the road (Old Bethel Cemetery). Turn left on Anderson Co. Rd.327 The Chuch and Cemetery are on the South side of the road. About 5.5 mi. south of Frankston on SH 155, then 0.5 mi. east on CR 327. S of Frankston, E of Hwy 155 at Sandflat area.

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