Unknown Graves Cemetery

2583 Coletoville Rd, Victoria, Texas 77905
Location: Black Bayou, on steep elevation S side of Black Bayou Creek.

Source: 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.

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The discovery of oil in 1901 near Beaumont, Texas, sparked an oil boom that transformed the state's economy and led to the rise of the modern petroleum industry.
Victoria County is located in southeastern Texas and was originally occupied by Native American tribes such as the Karankawa and the Tonkawa. However, the area was colonized by the Spanish in the 18th century and named in honor of the Queen of Spain, Victoria.

In the early 19th century, Anglo-American settlers began to move into the area, attracted by the fertile land for agriculture and the potential for ample grazing. The Mexican government encouraged colonization, and by 1834, there were around 100 families living in the region. However, tensions between the settlers and the Mexican government eventually led to the Texas Revolution in 1835.

During the Texas Revolution, Victoria became a strategic point for both the Texian and Mexican armies. The Battle of Guadalupe River occurred here in 1835, where the Texian rebels under the command of George Collingsworth captured the Mexican garrison without bloodshed. The town of Victoria formally became the capital of the Republic of Texas in 1839 before it was moved to Houston and later Austin.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Victoria County experienced significant growth and development. The railroad arrived in the late 1800s, leading to increased trade and the expansion of the local economy. The discovery of oil in the early 20th century further contributed to the county's prosperity. Today, Victoria County is a thriving hub for agriculture, oil and gas production, and serves as a regional center for healthcare, education, and businesses.

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

  • 1824 - Victoria County is established as a Municipality of Mexico
  • 1836 - Texas gains independence from Mexico
  • 1837 - Victoria County is created as an original county of the Republic of Texas
  • 1852 - The town of Victoria becomes the county seat
  • 1860 - Population of Victoria County reaches 2,305
  • 1874 - The Texas Mexican Railway expands into Victoria County, stimulating economic growth
  • 1899 - Oil is discovered in the county, leading to a boom in the petroleum industry
  • 1924 - The DuPont Company establishes a plant in Victoria County, contributing to industrial development
  • 1930 - Population of Victoria County exceeds 30,000
  • 1952 - The O'Connor-Proctor Building, the first air-conditioned building in town, is constructed
  • 1960 - Victoria County Courthouse is added to the National Register of Historic Places
  • 2008 - Hurricane Ike causes extensive damage to Victoria County
  • 2019 - Victoria County celebrates its 182nd anniversary