Historic Cemetery

Sand Hill Cemetery

a.k.a. Bethel, includes Evans

Oakwood, Texas 75855
Location: East of Fairfield on “06784” about 10 miles. Turn right on dirt road sometimes called Rabbit Range Road. Near Oakwood and Leon County line. Located north of the Old Butler Community that was settled in 1850. Only a few miles north of the Butler Community is a small area that has been named the Bethel Community. Take Hwy 84 east to FM 489; go left and continue on this road until the pavement road turns to the right. Instead of going to the right follow the dirt road to the left, passing two churches. Follow the road a short distance and the cemetery is on the left on top of a hill approximately 3 miles from Hwy 84 E.

Source: Freestone County Sheriff’s office by J. R. Sessions, Jr., Sheriff; Morrow, Betty Moss, THC Library

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