Historic Cemetery

Coats Cemetery

a.k.a. Coats-Sparks-Matlock

Nacogdoches, Texas
Location: From SH 59/259 “Y” north of Nacogdoches: SH 259 6.1 miles north to FM 2664. East 2.2 miles to FM 2864. North .3 miles to CR 136. East 1.3 miles to gate on north side and gravel road (BRG Lease Property). North, following road as it makes a “Y” to the right a total of 1.4 miles to dirt lane on north side, just a road curves back east. Cemetery 50 yards north of road.Cemetery on BRG Lease Property, Rosine Well No 1, RRC Lease No. 197521; 918-496-2626Contact:Tim Boatman of Boatman Tire in NacogdochesThis site is in a remote location on an oil lease. The site is sloped and the fence is falling down. The site is maintained, but not frequently. Many of the markers (Coats children) are have been replaced with ceramic tiles set in concrete. There are various sized fieldstones scattered around the site. There appear to be many unmarked graves.Andrew J. Coats (1846-1904) is the only CSA veteran at the site.

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.