Nacogdoches in Nacogdoches County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Oak Grove Cemetery
Many graves from the early Spanish cemetery of Nacogdoches were relocated to this site when the county courthouse was erected on the Spanish cemetery grounds in 1912. The earliest grave from that burial ground is marked,"Father Mendoza," 1718.
Oak Grove Cemetery is filled with historical figures important both to Nacogdoches County and the State of Texas. Perhaps the most famous is Thomas Jefferson Rusk, judge, statesman and Sam Houston's Secretary of War. Like Rusk, Charles Standfield Taylor, John S. Roberts and William Clark, Jr., signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. Other statesman and soldiers interred here include Captain Haden Arnold and Elias E. Hamilton, veterans of the Battle of San Jacinto; Jacob Lewis; James Harper Starr; General Kelsey H. Douglass; George F. Ingraham; Nicholas Adolphus Sterne; Captain Frederick Voight; and Dr. Robert A. Irion, who also was Sam Houston's personal physician.
Other burials of interest include those of former slaves Mitchell Thorne, Lawrence Sleet and Eliza Walker. Frost Thorn was among Texas' early millionaires; Diedrich Anton Wilhelm Rulfs, Nacogdoches' master architect, designed Zion Hill Baptist Church on the North side of the cemetery. Richard William Haltom founded and edited Nacogdoches' The Daily Sentinel, and poet Karle Wilson Baker was the third person named a fellow to the Texas Institute of Letters.
Erected 2000 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12102.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical year for this entry is 1826.
Location. 31° 36.198′ N, 94° 38.984′ W. Marker is in Nacogdoches, Texas, in Nacogdoches County. Marker is at the intersection of Lanana Street and Hospital Street, on the left when traveling south on Lanana Street. Marker located in front of cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nacogdoches TX 75961, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John S. Roberts (a few steps from this marker); Kelsey Harris Douglass (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Hayden Arnold (within shouting distance of this marker); Elias E. Hamilton (within shouting distance of this marker); Haden Edwards (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Robert Anderson Irion (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Young Buford (within shouting distance of this marker); William Clark, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nacogdoches.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Dr. James Harper Starr
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,107 times since then and 123 times this year. Last updated on May 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 5, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. 4. submitted on April 25, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.