Historic Cemetery

Mt Vernon Baptist Cemetery

Texas
Location: Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery (THC) 4.5 miles E of Ratcliff on SH 7(1977) Take Hwy 7 E out of Crockett to Kennard. Take first hard top road out of Kennard, go about 5 miles and at the top of a hill is a church and cemetery on the right(1987) about 5 miles NE of Ratcliff at the Mount Vernon Church.(1998) about 5 mi NE of Ratcliff on CR 1155 at the Mount Vernon Church(USGenWeb) NE of Kennard on Hwy 7. Just past Ratcliff take CR 1155 about 3 mi. Cemetery is on the R. Quite large and active.(cemeteries-of-tx.com) photos.THC marker; A Reference to Texas Cemetery Records, Kim Parsons, 1988; Houston County Cemeteries, Houston county Historical Commission, 1977; Houston County Cemeteries, Third Edition, Houston County Historical Commission, 1987; USGS; Supplement to Houston County Texas Cemeteries Third Edition, 1998; USGenWeb Archives; cemeteries-of-tx.com; topo mapTSHA Handbook of Texas online: MOUNT VERNON, TEXAS (Houston County). Mount Vernon was a farming community four miles east of Ratcliff off State Highway 7 in eastern Houston County. It was first settled in the late 1840s by Thomas Jefferson Payne and his wife Nancy Warren Payne. In the 1870s their son Henry Warren Payne built a school that also served for many years as a church. The building burned around 1883; residents constructed a new building a short time later and named it Mount Vernon. In the mid-1930s the settlement had a church, a cemetery, and a number of houses. After World War IIqv many of its residents moved away, but in the early 1990s the area still had a church, a cemetery, and a few scattered houses. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Houston County Cemeteries (Crockett, Texas: Houston County Historical Commission, 1977; 3d ed. 1987). Houston County Historical Commission, History of Houston County, Texas, 1687-1979 (Tulsa, Oklahoma: Heritage, 1979). Marker Files, Texas Historical Commission, Austin. Eliza H. Bishop THC site visit 11/17/04RAIN, reshoot pics: Ratliff, Tx area. From SH 7 turn N on CR 1160 about 4 miles to intersection with CR 1155, W about 1 mile to church. Church, large fenced site, formal arched entry. About 125 ft. from road. Diversity of formal markers over time. Some curbing, many obelisks, also fieldstones and earlier local castings. Abundant floral grave materials, some decorative materials. Cedar marker trees, also Crape Myrtle, Juniper, topiary evergreens, Irises.. Recent expansion to E. Internal access roads gravel. Approx 3.4 acres. GPS 31.24.29.34981N –95.05.09.63190W. Quad 3195-144Low risk endangerment, fenced, on map, maintained, associated church, on road, sign, associated church.

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.

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Texas random facts
Houston County, Texas, located in the eastern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history that dates back centuries. The area that is now Houston County was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Atakapa, who lived off the lands and waterways. However, the first European settlers began arriving in the area in the early 19th century, sparking a new chapter in the region's history.

In 1838, Houston County was officially established and named after Sam Houston, a prominent figure in the Texas Revolution and later the Republic of Texas. The county became a focal point during this time, with numerous conflicts between settlers and Native American tribes, as well as various clashes involving Mexican troops.

During the mid-19th century, Houston County experienced rapid growth and development, as many settlers were attracted to the area's fertile soil and abundant natural resources. Immigrants from various European countries, such as Germany and Austria, arrived in large numbers, contributing to the cultural diversity of the county. Additionally, the construction of railroads in the late 1800s played a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and connecting Houston County to neighboring regions.

In the 20th century, Houston County faced several challenges, including the Great Depression and the decline of the timber industry. However, the discovery of oil in neighboring counties brought new economic opportunities to the region and provided a much-needed boost to Houston County's economy. Today, Houston County continues to thrive as a vibrant rural community, with a rich history that is celebrated through numerous historic sites, museums, and events that showcase its past.

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

  • 1837 - Houston County is created and organized from Nacogdoches County.
  • 1839 - The county seat, Crockett, is established and named after David Crockett.
  • 1854 - The Houston and Great Northern Railroad is built through the county, boosting economic development.
  • 1861-1865 - Houston County residents actively participate in the Civil War.
  • 1881 - The discovery of oil in the county leads to an oil boom.
  • 1893 - The Houston County courthouse is destroyed by fire.
  • 1936 - The Texas State Park Board establishes Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.
  • 1968 - Hurricane Beulah causes significant damage to the county.
  • 2008 - Hurricane Ike causes widespread destruction and power outages in the area.
  • 2020 - Houston County celebrates its 183rd anniversary.