Historic Cemetery

Huisache Cemetery

Rio Grande City, Texas 78582
Location: Driving Directions:From FM 649/FM 2686 junction north of El Sauz, go 0.8 mile east on FM 2686. Turn left at Villarreal Rd. and go 1.6 miles north-northwest. Cemetery is approx. 55 ft. south-southeast of road.This cemetery is moderately endangered. It is a map feature and is accessible from a public road. There are no cemetery signs posted. The cemetery is fully fenced and appears to be maintained. However, several of the grave markers are highly eroded, damaged, or fallen. Some appear to be missing. Unique cemetery features include a concrete grave slab with inlaid sea shells and a vaulted concrete slab. Several graves are marked with the remnants of wood crosses.

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.

gravesites