Historic Cemetery

San Pedro Cemetery

a.k.a. Montemayor Cemetery

Brownsville, Texas
Location: Located in San Pedro Community near Brownsville on Hwy 281. It is located 5 miles west of Brownsville on 281. It is a fork in the road where the old and new Hwy 281 meet.
San Pedro Cemetery, also known as Montemayor Cemetery, is a historic burial ground located in Brownsville, Texas. Established in 1853, it is one of the oldest cemeteries in the region. Initially serving as a burial ground for early settlers and prominent figures in the area, the cemetery reflects the diverse cultural heritage of Brownsville, with gravesites representing various ethnicities and backgrounds, including Mexican-American, Anglo-American, and African-American. Over the years, it has become a significant historical site, preserving the memory of the region's past and serving as a reminder of the diverse communities that have shaped Brownsville's history. Graves: 18 (1914 to 1960s)
Size: 37 feet by 56 feet by 37 feet

Source: Cemetery Surveys by the Cameron County Historical Commission; TxDot map 1993; THC records; USGS

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