Historic Cemetery

Tanquisitos Cemetery

a.k.a. Tanquesitos Cemetery

532 W Hidalgo Ave, Raymondville, Texas 78580
Location: S. of FM 1018. W and NW of Paso Real; west of FM 1420. From Raymondville, take 77 south through Lyford and before reaching Sebastian turn east (right) on FM 1018. Continue on FM 1018 until it ends at a “T” intersection in the hamlet of San Monica. Take a right onto this paved FM road, go south up across the International Boundary Commission north levee, across the canal and to the south levee. Turn right (west) onto the single lane gravel road atop the south levee and proceed until you are in sight of a locked, pole gate across the levee, which will bar further travel west on the levee. Locate a gravel vehicle ramp down from the levee on the north (canal) side, back a few yards from the gate. Go down this ramp and travel along the levee on the dirt track between the cultivated fields and the levee. Proceed in this manner until you sight another locked pole gate atop the levee. Go a few more yards along the levee until you come to another vehicle ramp leading to the top of the levee, turn east, back along the gravel road atop the levee, until you reach the gate. From the gate you can see the cemetery on the right (south) side of the levee. It appears to be partially on Boundary Commission right of way and on private land. You have to walk another 50-75 yards to get to the cemetery.

Source: Parsons, Kim, Ref. to Texas Cemeteries, 1988; USGS; theyspeak; Rootsweb; TxDot map 1997

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.