Historic Cemetery

Graham Family Cemetery

a.k.a. Graham Family at Ephesus Church

Grapeland, Texas
Location: Graham Family Cemetery (1987) across road from the Ephesus Church in Latexo(1998) Across CR 1830 from Ephesus Baptist Church, Latexo (USGenWeb) In Latexo across from Ephesus Church.Not on topo map, but church is. A Reference to Texas Cemetery Records, Kim Parsons, 1988; Houston County Cemeteries, Third Edition, Houston County Historical Commission, 1987; Supplement to Houston County Texas Cemeteries Third Edition, 1998; USGenWeb Archives.THC site visit MB 12/12/04: Grapeland, Tx area. From SH 19 E on FM 2663 for 0.8 mile to CR 1825, turn N for 1.3 mile to CR 1830, then E for 0.9 mile to church on left, N, cemetery behind Photenia hedge on R, to S. Small memorial marker at entrance. Small formal site with central flagpole and memorial to family burials. Some uniformity with more recent graves, also a few fieldstones, benches. Several large Cedar marker trees. US veterans. Approx 0.18 acre. GPS 31.25.19.86099N –95.27.05.53669W USGS 3195-133Low risk endangerment, fenced, maintained, still in use, on map.

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.