Historical Marker

Clear Creek Cemetery

Historical marker location:
Oakland, Texas
( East on FM 532 approx. 1 mi., left of CR 2144 for 2.3 mi., left on CR 250 for .3 mi., bear left on CR 250, cemetery entrance is approx. .2 mi., on the rt.)
Marker installed: 2009
Marker size: 27" x 42'

Clear Creek Community formed in the 1850s near the route of the “Old Gonzales Road,” which ran from San Felipe though Columbus, Oakland and Gonzales on to San Antonio. A church organized in Clear Creek in the 1850s. In 1860, Edward M. Glenn officially deeded land to Methodist Episcopal Church South Trustees Zachariah Payne, O. B. Crenshaw and John Tooke. The cemetery that grew up around the Clear Creek Church became the main burial ground for the area through the 1880s. Records indicate that several burials had already taken place at the site prior to the cemetery’s formal establishment. Among the earliest burials are J.C.C. Barnett, son of Joseph and Mary Carnett; Cynthia Cleveland, wife of Horatio Johnson Cleveland; and Martha Miles Burgess, all interred in the 1850s.

When the railroad came to nearby Weimar in 1873, the population in the Clear Creek area began to decline. However, even though Clear Creek Church was torn down and used to build a new church in Oakland in 1886, families continued to use the Clear Creek cemetery for several years. The last recorded burial was that of John Anderson Lamkin, who died in 1929.

More than a dozen veterans of the Civil War are buried here, as are members of the 19th century fraternal rganization the Sons of Temperance. Notable features include false crypts and iron and wooden fences for family plots. Grave markers are made of marble or granite, with some of local sandstone quarried from Clear Creek. The Clear Creek Cemetery Association formed in 2007 to perpetuate the care and preservation of the cemetery.

Historic Texas Cemetery – 2007

Marker Dedication - 2009

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

gravesites
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
Texas is also home to the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. The venue covers three acres and can hold up to 6,000 people.
Texas random facts
Colorado County, located in southeastern Texas, has a rich and varied history that stretches back to its establishment in 1836 as part of the Republic of Texas. The county was named after the Colorado River, which flows through it. The area was initially inhabited by various Native American groups, including the Karankawa and the Coahuiltecan tribes. The first European settlers arrived in the early 1820s, and by the 1830s, the region had become a hub for Anglo-American colonization.

During the Republic of Texas era, Colorado County saw rapid growth and development. The county seat, Columbus, was established in 1839 and quickly became a major commercial center. The town served as an important stop on the Old San Felipe Road, a major transportation route connecting East and Central Texas. The discovery of oil and gas in the region in the early 20th century further fueled the county's growth and economic prosperity.

Colorado County played an important role during the Civil War. Many residents of German descent who settled in the county were Union sympathizers, while others supported the Confederacy. The county witnessed several skirmishes and military actions, including the Battle of Columbus in 1862, when Confederate forces repelled a Union raid. After the war, the county slowly rebuilt its economy and infrastructure.

In the 20th century, Colorado County diversified its economy beyond agriculture. The discovery of oil and gas led to the development of a thriving energy industry, and manufacturing and services sectors also grew. Today, Colorado County is a mix of suburban and rural areas, with agriculture, oil and gas, and tourism forming the pillars of its economy. The county continues to preserve its historical sites and celebrate its diverse heritage, attracting visitors from across the state and beyond.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Colorado County, Texas.

  • 1821: The area that would become Colorado County, TX is included in Austin's Colony, established by the Mexican government.
  • 1835: The area plays a role in the Texas Revolution as volunteers from Colorado County participate in the Battle of Gonzales.
  • 1837: Colorado County is officially established as a county in the Republic of Texas.
  • 1838: Columbus is selected as the county seat.
  • 1846: Colorado County is incorporated into the state of Texas as it becomes part of the United States.
  • 1850s: The county experiences rapid growth as more settlers move into the area, establishing farms and ranches.
  • 1861: With the outbreak of the Civil War, many residents of Colorado County actively support the Confederacy.
  • 1870s: The county's economy starts to diversify with the discovery of oil, leading to the establishment of oil wells and refineries.
  • 1935: The Lower Colorado River Authority is established, and dams are constructed in the area for flood control and water supply.
  • 1970s: Colorado County experiences an agricultural decline as farming becomes less profitable.
  • 1997: The Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Center for the Performing Arts is opened in Austin, providing a cultural center for the region.