Historic Cemetery

Old Salem Cemetery

a.k.a. Salem Community Cemetery; McKay Cemetery

Salem, Texas
Location: Old Salem CemeteryRecorded: WOOD05—Parsons; (location in Co. Hist., Vol. 4, p. :From Salem Cem. on FM 17 north of Alba, go north on FM 17 for 0.2 mi and turn east on the oiled road. Go 0.6 mi. and turn south, going over a cattle grade, and another 0.4 mile. A Church of Christ is nearby. … well-kept, fenced cemetery about 150 ft. by 300 ft. … many unmarked graves … aka McKay Cem.”) Cemetery IndexTHC site visit MB 12/19/03From SH 17 E on CR 1534 to CR 1540, S to CR 1545, dead end in lake, private residence.Site revisit MB s/ local historian Saundra Seaton Burge 2/03/04. Verified history.. SEE ALSO New Old Salem Relocation Cem. After Lake Fork water impoundment some of Old Salem Cem. graves were relocated, but not all. Those graves above high water level remain at this Old Salem Cem. No access, locked gate, private residence. Site appears to remain maintained as a cemetery, Irises, some scattered fieldstones, area mowed. Estimated GPS 32.49.49.71431N –95.36.40.96282WTHC re-visit with local historian Suandra Burge. Confirmed McKay Family-Salem Community Cem, aka Old Salem Cemetery. Partially moved after lake impoundment. Part of burials placed in mass and some moved individually to New Old Salem Schoolhouse Cem. Some graves remain. Private property at 646 CR 1545.

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.