Location: SB-C052 Hemphill Cemetery THC site visit MB 6/06/04 AKA Hemphill City Cem. USGS point3193-231 Recorded: SABI01—Parsons, Kim. 1988. References to Texas Cemeteries; Sabine Co Hist Soc, Rootsweb: photos— Location: “Town of Hemphill” Sabine Co. Hist. Markers: “The burials in this cemetery reflect the early history of Hemphill as a developing commercial center and seat of government. The oldest marked grave dates from 1867, nine years after the town was founded. The earliest gravestone marks the burial site of pioneer settler Marier C. Morris (1845-1867), the daughter of Jubal H. Ragan, an early area physician. Early records of the cemetery were lost in an 1875 Courthouse fire, but it is believed the original tract of land for the burial ground was donated by Simon Newsome Beckcom and William T. Morris. … later enlarged by additional donations of property. The first school in the area… located in a Masonic Lodge … on adjacent land … also used for early religious services. Burials here include those of pioneer area settlers, prominent local merchants and businessmen, veterans of several wars, early leaders of the community, …. Still in use, the historic Hemphill Cemetery serves as a reminder of the area's rich heritage. LOCATION: Town of Hemphill -- Erected 1981”THC site visit MB 6/06/04: Hemphill, Tx, at Oak St, near intersection with Burch St., E of FM 2972, two blocks south of town center. Adjacent to Masonic Lodge and Missionary Baptist Church on N, also historic church building on E side. Residential encroachment on W side, wooded area and creek on S side. Adjacent wooded area. Fenced formal site, brick column entryway, THC subject marker and bronze name plates. Formal markers, large and small, great diversity over time, including spires, obelisks, a large urn. Iron fencing, curbs, slabs, scraped earth. Some unique and creative markers. Marker trees include Cedar, Crape Myrtle, Apple trees, Juniper, Mimosa, Catalpa, Chinese Tallow, Oak and Pine. Abundant floral and decorative grave materials. Afffiliations include DRT, DAR, CSA, Rep of Tx and Masonic. Approx 5.5 acres. GPS 31.20.18.57993N –93.50.58.12115W. Quad 3193-234. Low risk of endangerment, despite encroachments, municipal site, THC marker, fenced, city maintenance, on-going burials, recent annexed area. 3193-231 TxDoT map, Co Hwy MapTHC Marker 1981.
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.