Historic Cemetery

Garvin Cemetery

a.k.a. Garvin Memorial, Smith's Hall

4000 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, Texas 75220
Location: From Lemmon Ave., go 0.5 mile east on Northwest Hwy W. (Loop 12). Cemetery is on south side of road next to apt. complex called Sherwood Forest. Cemetery sits back about 100 feet from road and is not immediately visible, but is marked by two metal signs indicating a historic marker. A gravel path leads to the cemetery and a historical subject marker, approximately 200 ft. south of Northwest Hwy W. (Loop 12). Concrete curbing encompasses several headstones and a large concrete vault. The curbing is broken in many places due to erosion. One headstone within the curbing was recently repaired with a new concrete base. The wooden form that was used for the repair was still lying next to the headstone during the survey. There are also several grave markers outside the curbing.Negative threat factors include the lack of a fence, erosion, and the cemetery is not a map feature.
Graves: 50, one grave with curbing.
Source: RIP Fields Table

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