Trinidad Cemetery

On January 30, 1869, Onslow M. Airheart (1834-1883) purchased 1476 acres on the bank of the Trinity River. Airheart was an early pioneer to Henderson County, served as a 1st lieutenant for the Confederate Army and owned and operated a ferry for many years. His wife, Mary, died in 1874 and was buried across the river from their property in Navarro County. Airheart wanted to be buried next to his wife but, when Airheart died on December 22, 1883, he was buried on his property due to flooding conditions.

Airheart’s estate was divided among his remaining family. In the early 1920s, the Texas Power and Llight Company purchased around 1700 acres of land that included the Airheart Private Cemetery. The company agreed to provide additional acreage to establish a city cemetery for the town of Trinidad. Additional acreage was added in 1974 and 2002. A cemented floor pavilion and a brick entrance was added.

Airheart’s twin brother, Moses C. Airheart (1834-1887), a Civil War veteran, is buried here along with their half-brother, Charles Wesley Airheart (1854-1911). Many of their descendants are buried at the Trinidad Cemetery. Moses Airheart’s grandson, Onclo Merel Airheart (1918-2001), a highly decorated World War II hero who fought alongside Audie Murphy, is also buried here. Another family buried here is the Pulley family. The Pulleys were very involved in the growth of the town of Trinidad. This historic cemetery transformed from a small family cemetery to the Trinidad City Cemetery and is a testament to generations past.