Historic Cemetery

Salem Cemetery

Texas
Location: Salem CemRecorded: WOOD05—Parsons; (location in Co. Hist.:Vol. 4, p.131: From intersection of FM 17 and FM 812 in Alba, go north on FM 17 for 1.9 mi.—the cemetery is on the east side of the road. There is a church immediately behind the cem.) Cemetery Index (Tx Funeral Serv. Com.); HbTx, SEE Salem community. THC site visit MB 12/19/03: Church building no longer behind cemetery, but recent construction large pavillion. Large formal site, arched entryway. Intersection of FM 812 and SH 17, CR 1533. Fenced. Internal paved access roadways. Pavillion. Large Cedar and Oak marker trees, some shrub marker trees. Abundant floral and decorative grave materials. Formal and informal markers, diversity over time, some fieldstones. Approx 4.5 acres. GPS 32.49.13.97614N –95.37.44.88396W.

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