Historical Marker

Prater Cemetery

Historical marker location:
5550 Eastex Freeway11, Beaumont, Texas
( 5550 Eastex Freeway (Highway 69 North))
Marker installed: 2010
Marker size: 27" x 42"

Prater Cemetery is a small family cemetery in what was once known as the Rosedale community of north Jefferson County. Edwin Prater, founder of the cemetery, bought a half acre of land for $10 from his daughter Theodosia and her husband John Jackson Ballard in 1894 to be “used as a grave yard for himself, his children, his grandchildren and all his legal descendants forever.”

The site was already in use as a burial ground for travelers who died while passing through the area. The first family burial was that of Prater’s infant granddaughter, Seawillow Ballard, in 1888. The cemetery grew in size as Prater’s family increased and was used mainly by the Prater, Collier, Ballard and Odom families. Confederate veteran John Jackson Ballard, Prater’s son-in-law, was buried in 1903, and Edwin Prater was interred in 1905. Confederate veteran John Collier, Prater’s son-in-law and operator of Collier’s ferry on the Neches River, was buried in 1918. A third confederate veteran, Elijah Alexander Blackshear, a Ballard in-law, was laid to rest in 1927. The most recent burial is that of Prater’s infant great-great-grandson, Samuel David Hamner, Jr., in 1952.

The overgrown cemetery was discovered by a local boy in 1968, and he and Beaumont Boy Scout Troop 181 worked to clean up the cemetery in 1976, creating public awareness of the historic site. Today, Prater Cemetery contains fifteen marked graves and an unknown number of unmarked ones, and reminds visitors of a pioneering Jefferson County family

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.

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Texas random facts
Jefferson County, Texas, has a rich history that spans back several centuries. It is home to the indigenous tribes who had lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. In the early 16th century, Spanish explorers reached the area and claimed it as part of New Spain. However, it was not until the early 19th century that the region began to see significant settlement.

In the early 1820s, Empresario Joseph Vehlein obtained a contract to settle 300 families in the region. The land, once inhabited by the Atakapa people, soon attracted settlers of various origins, including Americans, Europeans, and enslaved Africans. The area became known for its fertile soil, offering ideal conditions for agriculture and ranching.

The city of Beaumont was established in the mid-19th century and quickly developed into a major trading and shipping center due to its access to the Neches River and the Gulf of Mexico. The discovery of oil at Spindletop in 1901 marked a turning point in the county's history, as the region experienced a significant oil boom. This brought great prosperity and transformed the area's economy, leading to the development of the petrochemical industry in the following decades.

Throughout the 20th century, Jefferson County witnessed various social and economic changes. It played a key role in World War II, serving as the location for significant military activity, including the establishment of one of the largest military shipbuilding centers in the country. The county also experienced desegregation struggles during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, which eventually led to greater equality.

Today, Jefferson County continues to be an important industrial center for petrochemicals and petroleum-related industries. It is also home to a diverse population and offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

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

  • 1836: Jefferson County is established as a municipality of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1838: The town of Beaumont is founded.
  • 1840: Jefferson County becomes part of the newly-formed State of Texas.
  • 1845: Texas is admitted to the United States, and Jefferson County becomes a county within the state.
  • 1858: A railroad is completed, connecting Beaumont to surrounding areas.
  • 1865: The Civil War ends, and Jefferson County begins to recover from the war's impact.
  • 1881: The Spindletop oil field, the first major oil discovery in Texas, is found in Jefferson County.
  • 1901: The Lucas Gusher at Spindletop oil field erupts, launching the Texas oil boom.
  • 1925: The Neches River is first navigable by deep-draft vessels, boosting the county's shipping industry.
  • 1943: The Port of Beaumont is established as a major center for the shipping and petrochemical industries.
  • 1989: Hurricane Gilbert strikes Jefferson County, causing significant damage to the area.
  • 2005: Hurricane Rita makes landfall in Jefferson County, leading to widespread devastation.
  • 2017: Hurricane Harvey causes widespread flooding in Jefferson County.