Historical Marker

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery

Historical marker location:
Yoakum, Texas
( Next to City of Yoakum on FM 318 about 0.3 mile from SH 111)
Marker installed: 2010
Marker size: 27" x 42"

CATHOLICS IN THE BRUSHY COMMUNITY, WHICH WAS A RURAL SETTLEMENT THAT DEVELOPED BEGINNING IN THE 1830s ALONG THE BRUSHY AND SUPPLE JACK CREEKS, FIRST ORGANIZED A CHURCH AROUND 1847, BUILDING A LOG SANCTUARY. HOWEVER, IT WASN’T UNTIL 1869 THAT, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF FATHER JOHN ANTHONY FOREST, THIRD BISHOP OF THE SAN ANTONIO DIOCESE, AREA CATHOLICS BEGAN TO BUILD THE ST. JOSEPH PARISH. THE STRUCTURE WAS COMPLETED IN 1876 ON PROPERTY DONATED BY JOHN. H. AND STEPHEN DUNN. KNOWN BY SETTLERS AS BRUSHY CHURCH, ST. JOSEPH SERVED LAVACA AND BORDERING COUNTIES UNTIL A NEW CHURCH WAS BUILT IN 1912 TO ACCOMMODATE THE GROWING COMMUNITY. THE BRUSHY CHURCH WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1932. ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CEMETERY, HOWEVER, CONTINUED TO SERVE THE AREA.

THE EARLIEST KNOWN BURIAL IN THIS CEMETERY IS OF JOHN B. VOLLENTINE, WHO DIED IN 1871. MANY OF THE INDIVIDUALS INTERRED HERE WERE RANCHERS, FARMERS OR SHARECROPPERS, REFLECTING THE NATURE OF THE AREA’S RURAL COMMUNITIES. A NOTED INTERMENT IS OF PAT MAY, A FOUNDER OF YOAKUM. OTHERS BURIED INCLUDE MEMBERS OF FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AND VETERANS OF CONFLICTS DATING TO THE CIVIL WAR.

RELIGIOUS STATUARY AND ICONOGRAPHY ILLUSTRATE THE BURIAL GROUND’S CONNECTION TO CATHOLICISM. OTHER CEMETERY FEATURES INCLUDE CURBING, OBELISKS AND VERTICAL STONES. IT ALSO CONTAINS FIVE MAUSOLEUMS FOR ABOVE-GROUND BURIALS. ST. JOSEPH PARISH MAINTAINS THE CEMETERY, WHICH IS STILL OPEN FOR DESCENDANTS OF THE ORIGINAL PARISHIONERS. TODAY, ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CEMETERY REMAINS A LINK TO THE FORMER RURAL COMMUNITIES OF THIS AREA AND TO THE FAITHFUL CATHOLICS WHO LIVED NEAR BRUSHY CREEK

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
Lavaca County, located in southeast Texas, has a rich and diverse history dating back to its settlement in the early 19th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Karankawa and Tonkawa people, who thrived off the land's natural resources. European settlement began in the 1820s, following the arrival of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred colonists.

In 1846, Lavaca County was officially established by the Texas state legislature and was named after the Lavaca River, which runs through the area. The county quickly developed as a center for agriculture, with cotton becoming the primary cash crop. Many plantations were established, and slavery played a significant role in the local economy, impacting the social and cultural dynamics of the region.

During the Civil War, Lavaca County supported the Confederacy, with many of its residents volunteering for military service. The county experienced the effects of the war firsthand, including economic hardships and infrastructure damage. In the post-war years, the cotton industry faced several challenges, including the boll weevil infestation and the Great Depression, which led to a decline in agricultural dominance.

In the 20th century, Lavaca County transitioned into a more diversified economy, with the growth of oil and gas exploration. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s brought prosperity to the region, attracting new residents and businesses. Today, Lavaca County continues to be primarily rural with a strong agricultural heritage, while also benefiting from the contributions of the energy industry. The county's deep-rooted history and ongoing development make it a unique and historically significant part of Texas.

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

  • 1846 - Lavaca County is established by the Texas legislature, carved out of parts of neighboring counties.
  • 1849 - The first county seat is established in Hallettsville.
  • 1852 - The oldest known courthouse in Lavaca County is built in Hallettsville.
  • 1856 - The county's first newspaper, the Lavaca Democrat, is founded.
  • 1861-1865 - Lavaca County residents support the Confederacy during the Civil War.
  • 1867 - St. Peter's Lutheran Church, the oldest continuously active Lutheran congregation in Texas, is established in Hallettsville.
  • 1873 - The Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway extends its tracks into Lavaca County.
  • 1881 - A new courthouse is constructed in Hallettsville to replace the original courthouse.
  • 1922 - The area around Lavaca County experiences a significant oil boom, leading to increased economic activity.
  • 1936 - The current Lavaca County Courthouse, a Classical Revival-style building, is completed in Hallettsville.
  • 1942-1945 - Many Lavaca County residents serve in World War II.
  • 1997 - The Lavaca County Courthouse is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2010 - Lavaca County celebrates its 150th anniversary since its establishment.
  • 2018 - Lavaca County continues to be a predominantly rural area with a strong agricultural industry.