Location: Old Independence Cem.—sign name.Independence Cemetery—TxGenWeb: Texas Landmark “301942N 0962139W Independence.” --Recorded WASH01; WASH02; WASH03—Parsons. Cem Recs of Washington Co (1974): “301943 – 962139 – abandoned for many years this beautiful old cem is now well-kept and shaded by giant cedars. Many stones lost or broken. Approx 400 burials, earliest about 1840s. Index.” Tombstone, TxDoT map. THC Atlas: “A very old graveyard of Anglo-Texas. Started about 1823 on league of Judge J. P. Cole, one of the "Old 300" in the Austin Colony. A daughter, Madora Cole McCrocklin, gave the site. Many statesmen, educators, physicians, lawyers, war veterans and other "Old Texians" are buried here. LOCATION: From Old Baylor Park (3 blocks W of FM 50/FM 390), take CR 60 1.2 mi. NW to cemetery, Independence.” US vets:WWI; WWII; Korea;Vietnam; CSATHC site visit MB 9/11/03 Independence, Tx. Ranching area, W of Independence, N of FM 390. Near intersection of County Roads currently named Coles and McRocklin, on N side of Coles Rd. Arched entrance sign. Formal markers, considerable diversity over time, obelisks, vaults and crypts large and small, unique markers, homemade and locally caste markers. Some commercial markers in newer areas to E. Many Cedar and other marker trees. Abundant floral and decorative grave materials. Approx 4.67 acres. GPS 30.19.43.98499N –96.21.39.00971WQuad 3096-131Moderate risk of endangerment due to prior destructions to site, but now maintained, fenced, part of historic park, locked gate.
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.