Historic Cemetery

Estelline Cemetery

Estelline, Texas
Location: From southwest corner of town square, drive south on Wright Street 4 blocks. At that point, Wright Street becomes County Road 29A. Continue south 0.6 miles.

Graves: 512+ (1896-active)

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
Texas was once a part of Mexico but gained independence in 1836 after a famous battle at the Alamo.
Texas random facts
Hall County is located in the panhandle region of Texas and has a rich history dating back to ancient times. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Comanche, before the arrival of European settlers. In the mid-18th century, Spanish explorers began to venture into the region, establishing trade routes and missions.

The county's history took a significant turn in the late 19th century when the area became a hub of cattle ranching. The arrival of the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway in 1887 opened up opportunities for the transportation of livestock, leading to the growth of numerous ranches. This development attracted further settlers to the region, prompting the establishment of Hall County in 1876.

The town of Memphis was designated as the county seat, named after the ancient Greek city. It quickly became a thriving community, with businesses, schools, and churches. The early 20th century brought challenges to the county, including droughts and the Great Depression. However, the resiliency of the locals and the introduction of farming techniques eventually allowed for the growth of the agricultural industry.

Throughout the mid to late 20th century, Hall County continued to adapt to changing economic conditions. The discovery of oil in the early 1940s brought an oil boom to the region, bringing new opportunities and prosperity. Today, Hall County remains a small but vibrant community, with a population of approximately 3,000 residents.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Hall County, Texas.

  • 1876: Hall County is organized and named after Warren D. C. Hall, an attorney and politician.
  • 1890: The town of Memphis becomes the county seat.
  • 1924: The discovery of oil leads to a boom in the local economy.
  • 1935: The Great Depression and drought cause a decline in population and agricultural production.
  • 1940s: The construction of Lake Meredith provides irrigation water for farming and becomes a popular recreational area.
  • 1950s-1960s: The population of Hall County continues to decline due to changes in agriculture and migration to urban areas.
  • 1970s: The cattle industry becomes a major part of the local economy.
  • 1990: The population of Hall County reaches its lowest point since the 1920s.
  • 2000s: The county experiences some population growth, but remains primarily rural.