Historic Cemetery

Cactus Cemetery

Encinal, Texas 78019
Location: Driving Directions:From Loop 20 in Laredo, go approx. 25 miles north on IH 35. Cemetery is located approx. 0.7 mile east of IH 35, on San Roman Ranch. From Callaghan Road on east side of IH 35, go 1.0 mile north on IH 35 frontage. Turn right at private, gated ranch road just north of ranch complex and go 0.2 mile east. Turn left at intersection and go 1.6 miles north on ranch road. At this point, there will be a sharp bend in road. The cemetery is located within this bend, on west side of road.This is highly endangered cemetery. It is a map feature, but it is located in a remote area on private property. No cemetery signs are posted. It is fully fenced, but has no entry gate. To enter the cemetery, one must go between the barbed wire strands. The cemetery is not active or maintained. Before the cemetery was fenced, grazing livestock had damaged many of the fragile concrete and wood markers. Many of the cemetery features are fallen, damaged, or displaced. Many are obscured by heavy vegetation. There are possibly several unmarked graves. Grave marker types include homemade and locally cast concrete, wood, metal funeral, and fieldstone. Several graves are enclosed by dilapidated, woven wire and wooden fences. Several graves also have concrete curbing, some with inset tile and shell decorations. The surface of the cemetery is littered with glass and ceramic sherds, most dating to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

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.

gravesites
Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.
Texas random facts
Webb County, located in southern Texas along the Mexico border, has a rich and vibrant history dating back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by various Indigenous groups, including the Coahuiltecan and Cabeza de Vaca tribes. In 1705, the Spanish government established what is now known as the city of Laredo, making it one of the oldest European settlements in present-day Texas.

During the 19th century, Webb County played a crucial role in the struggle for Mexican independence and the subsequent development of the Texas Republic. In 1836, during the Texas Revolution, Mexican troops led by General José de Urrea were defeated by the Texian forces at the Battle of San Patricio, which took place near present-day San Patricio, a community within Webb County.

Following the Texas Revolution, Laredo became an important trading center, connecting the United States and Mexico. The city's location along the Rio Grande made it a key point for trade and transportation, leading to its rapid growth. In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War, and Laredo became part of the United States.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought significant changes to Webb County. The arrival of the railroad in the 1880s further stimulated economic growth, as it provided an efficient means of importing goods and exporting local agricultural products. This led to the expansion of ranching and agriculture industries in the region. Additionally, the discovery of oil and gas reserves in the early 20th century brought further prosperity and development to the county.

Today, Webb County continues to thrive as a bustling border city and a hub of trade between the United States and Mexico. With a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant economy, the county serves as an important intersection of history, commerce, and diversity in Texas.

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

  • 1848 - Webb County is established as a county in the state of Texas.
  • 1849 - The first permanent settlers arrive in what is now known as Laredo, the county seat of Webb County.
  • 1852 - The county's first courthouse is built in Laredo.
  • 1860 - The population of Webb County reaches over 4,000 residents.
  • 1881 - The Texas-Mexican Railway reaches Laredo, leading to increased trade and development in the county.
  • 1906 - A new courthouse is built in Laredo to replace the previous one.
  • 1944 - The Laredo Air Force Base is established, contributing to the county's economy and providing employment opportunities.
  • 1977 - The Rio Grande Industrial Park is opened, promoting industrial development in Webb County.
  • 2010 - Webb County's population exceeds 250,000 residents.