Historic Cemetery

Baker Family Plantation Cemetery

Plantersville, Texas
Location: Baker Cemetery—N of Plantersville. Recorded: GRIM11, GRIM12: . Parsons.. Tombstone, TxDoT map. SEE Grimes County Cemeteries, vols 1-5, John Maxwell, GCHS. H&P, Grimes Co Hist.: Local hist. map, “Cem. located a few miles N of Plantersville, E of FM 1774. Established on the property of Isaac Baker who brought his family to Texas in 1842 and built ‘The Cedars.” p. 82-3, “…earlier settlers were planters from Austin’s colonies [see Plantersville Cem.] … Baker family entered their dead in a private cemetery on the Cedars Plantation. … area Masonic Lodge, 1853 … and Planters Lodge, early school. Cedars is now part of Butler Ranch.” p. 724-5, “Approx. 25 burials, some marked with boulders, earliest about the 1850s. Index.”THC site visit MB 9/28/04 w/ J. Maxwell. Near Plantersville, Tx area. Off FM 1774 at The Cedars Ranch, previously owned by the Butler family who also has a cemetery on this very large property. From the main gate on the private wooded road go 0.8 miles to the cattle guard, then another 0.6 miles to the site of cemeteries and the original homeplace. Baker is to the N. Pasture Road leads from the bend in the private road. Horse pasture. Do not cut across before the bend, request of the landowner. Small wooden archway to Baker Cemetery, very formal markers, large and small, very tall obelisks, spires, and dramatic statues. There are also some large fieldstone markers among the elaborate family markers, suggesting perhaps slave or other burials. Large Cedar marker trees, some Irises, some Crape Myrtles. No floral materials. DAR marker. Approx 0.20 acre. Low risk endangerment, fenced, repairs to markers, maintained by the current landowner, on map.

The Baker Family Plantation Cemetery in Grimes County, Texas, is a historically significant site in the United States. The cemetery dates back to the mid-1800s and was used by the Baker family, who were early settlers in the area and owned a plantation nearby.

The cemetery is significant for several reasons. First, it provides insight into the lives and deaths of early settlers in Texas, and serves as a reminder of the challenges and hardships they faced. Many of the graves in the cemetery belong to children and young adults, reflecting the high mortality rates of the time.

Second, the cemetery is a tangible link to the history of slavery in Texas. The Baker family owned slaves, and several of them are buried in the cemetery. The graves of these slaves, many of whom are only identified by simple markers or fieldstones, provide a glimpse into their lives and the hardships they endured.

Finally, the Baker Family Plantation Cemetery is significant as a cultural and historical landmark in the state of Texas. It has been recognized by the Texas Historical Commission and added to the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

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.

gravesites
The cattle industry played a significant role in the development of Texas, with cowboys driving cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Texas random facts
Grimes County, located in southeastern Texas, has a rich and vibrant history that dates back to the early 19th century. The county's origins can be traced back to the establishment of the Stephen F. Austin Colony in the early 1820s. It was named in honor of Jesse Grimes, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The county was officially formed in 1846 when it was separated from Montgomery County.

In its early years, Grimes County played a significant role in the development of the Republic of Texas. It served as an important transportation hub due to its location on the Old San Antonio Road, which connected the different regions of Texas. The construction of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad in the 1850s further enhanced the county's connectivity and promoted economic growth.

The county was not immune to the impact of the American Civil War, which deeply affected Texas as a whole. Grimes County saw its fair share of battles and skirmishes, and many local men enlisted in the Confederate Army. Following the war, the county experienced a period of recovery and reintegration into the post-war society.

Throughout the 20th century, Grimes County has evolved into an important agricultural and industrial center. The growth of the timber industry and the discovery of oil and natural gas reserves in the area brought economic prosperity to the county. Today, Grimes County continues to thrive as a vibrant community, drawing visitors with its beautiful scenery, historical landmarks, and diverse cultural heritage.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Grimes County, Texas.

  • 1821: Grimes County, Texas, was established as a part of Mexico's Coahuila y Tejas province.
  • 1830: The population of Grimes County experienced significant growth due to the influx of American settlers.
  • 1836: Texas declared independence from Mexico, leading to the Texas Revolution.
  • 1837: Grimes County was officially formed and named after Jesse Grimes, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
  • 1850: The advent of railroads in Grimes County resulted in increased trade and economic development.
  • 1861: Texas seceded from the United States and joined the Confederate States of America at the start of the Civil War.
  • 1867: Reconstruction efforts began after the end of the Civil War, aiming to rebuild the county's economy and infrastructure.
  • 1873: Navasota became the county seat, replacing Anderson.
  • 1881: The Houston and Texas Central Railway reached the town of Plantersville, further boosting the area's growth.
  • 1900: The Galveston hurricane of 1900 caused significant devastation in Grimes County and the surrounding region.
  • 1930s: The Great Depression had a major impact on Grimes County, leading to economic hardships and agricultural decline.
  • 1942: The U.S. Army established Camp Hearne in Grimes County during World War II as a prisoner of war camp.
  • Present: Grimes County continues to be a rural area with agriculture as a significant part of its economy.