Historic Cemetery

Gerardo Guerra Gravesite Cemetery

Texas
Location: Driving Directions:From FM 3167/FM 649 junction in El Sauz, go 3.6 miles south on FM 3167. Gravesite is on right (west) side of road, approx. 50 ft. from road. From US 83 in Rio Grande City, go 10.1 miles north on FM 3167. Grave will be on left (west) side of road, approx. 50 ft. from road.This gravesite is highly endangered. It is a map feature, but it is a single grave that is not accessible to the public. There are no cemetery signs posted, and it does not appear to be regularly maintained. A new granite marker has been placed on the grave, and there is evidence of visitations (floral decorations). The grave is enclosed by an ornamental cast iron fence. The headstone inscription reads:GerardoGuerra1877 - 4-17-47The grave reportedly contains the man's horse as well. According to the story, the man and his horse both died while riding one day. Their bodies were not discovered for several weeks. Due to advanced decomposition, the man and his horse were buried in a single grave on the spot were they died.

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