Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TXFort Sam Houston National Cemetery's significance rests in its position as one of seven national cemeteries established between World War I and World War II, specifically in the years 19341939. The increased veteran population, combined with the rapidly depleting burial space at existing national cemeteries, led to a series of federal legislation during this period aimed at establishing new cemeteries: Baltimore, Fort Snelling, Fort Rosecrans, Golden Gate, Fort Bliss, Long Island, and Fort Sam Houston national cemeteries. These seven properties are nationally significant under Criterion A for their association with the expansion of the National Cemetery System during the Inter-World War period. These cemeteries are physical shrines illustrating the selfless sacrifices of the U.S. military, which expand upon the burial and memorial mission established during the Civil War through the first national cemeteries. In 2011, the Keeper of the National Register confirmed National Register of Historic Places eligibility by issuing a clarification of policy stating that all national cemeteries are considered exceptionally significant and eligible for listing in the NRHP regardless of age and that all buildings, structures, and objects located within the boundaries of national cemeteries are considered contributing elements to each national cemetery regardless of age. The first period of significance represents the first burial at the Post Cemetery section now included in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, in 1926, and ends with the establishment of the national cemetery in 1937. The second period of significance (1937-Present) at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery begins with its establishment as a national cemetery apart from San Antonio National Cemetery. Due to the complex nature of cemetery development, the Congressional establishment was chosen as the beginning date for the Inter-World War national cemeteries because all other dates occurred due to the legislation. At Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, the burial grounds' beginnings as a post cemetery and annex facilitated its maturation into a national cemetery in 1937 and ensured the integrity of the setting.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2016.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.