Yellow Fork Cemetery
Source: Parsons, Kim, Ref. to Texas Cemeteries, 1988; Stephens County Genealogical Society; Rootsweb; Stephens, Stephens County: Much to Be Cherished; Loftin, Complete Cemetery Census of Young County; TxDot; USGS
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.
Texas was once a part of Mexico but gained independence in 1836 after a famous battle at the Alamo.
European settlement in Stephens County began in the mid-19th century, when pioneers began to establish homesteads in the area. The county was officially created in 1858 and named after Alexander H. Stephens, a prominent politician and Vice President of the Confederate States of America. The first settlement in the area was Fort Davis, which served as protection against Native American raids and as a trading post.
The discovery of oil in the early 20th century brought significant economic growth to Stephens County. Oil fields were developed, attracting workers and transforming the county's economy. The town of Breckenridge, the county seat, became known as the "Oil Capital of the World" and experienced a boom in population and infrastructure development.
Throughout its history, Stephens County has faced challenges, including the Great Depression and the decline of the oil industry. However, the county has shown resilience and adaptability, diversifying its economy with industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Today, Stephens County continues to preserve its history and culture, with landmarks like the Stephens County Courthouse and annual events celebrating its heritage.
Stephens County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Stephens County, Texas.
- 1858 - Stephens County was created from parts of Bosque and Palo Pinto counties.
- 1876 - The first settlers arrived in the area, attracted by its fertile land.
- 1879 - The town of Breckenridge was founded and became the county seat.
- 1880s - The county experienced rapid growth with the arrival of the Texas Central Railroad.
- 1890s - The discovery of oil brought economic prosperity to the county.
- 1919 - Stephens County experienced an oil boom, leading to increased population and wealth.
- 1920s - The county's oil industry continued to grow, attracting more businesses and workers.
- 1930s - The Great Depression and a decline in oil prices impacted the county's economy.
- 1940s - Stephens County contributed to the war effort during World War II.
- 1950s - Oil production rebounded, and the county experienced renewed prosperity.
- 1980s - The county faced economic challenges due to fluctuations in the oil industry.
- 1990s - The county diversified its economy, focusing on agriculture and tourism.
- 2000s - Stephens County continued to attract visitors with its recreational opportunities.