Livingston in Polk County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Forest Hill Cemetery
Photographed By Jim Evans, March 3, 2018
1. Forest Hill Cemetery Marker
By 1905, all the lots in Livingston's Old City Cemetery had been filled, and community leaders began looking for a new cemetery site. Residents established Forest Hill Cemetery Association in 1906 and bought land from James and Arabella Henington on a hill south of the downtown area. In November 1906, Arthur B. Garner was the first to be buried in the new cemetery.
Community women formed the Ladies Cemetery Association of Livingston in May 1908; their purpose was to improve, beautify and preserve the city's two cemeteries. In the 1930s, Marion Tew took charge of maintaining Forest Hill Cemetery, and under her leadership the grounds were beautified and Washington Avenue, which leads to the graveyard, was the first street in Livingston to be paved.
Forest Hill Cemetery is a link to Livingston's history. Gravestones indicate the burials of thirty Confederate soldiers and one Union soldier, as well as veterans of subsequent American military actions. Noted individuals buried here include A.H. Bailey, of Mollie Bailey's Circus, George Ely, a traveling circus entertainer, and acclaimed theatre director Margaret "Margo" Jones.
Erected 2003 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16215.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites
this page online
Location. 30° 41.642′ N, 94° 55.93′ W. Marker is in Livingston, Texas, in Polk County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of South Washington Avenue and Manning Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is about 100 yards from the main entrance to the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Livingston TX 77351, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Birthplace of Margo Jones (approx. ¾ mile away); Polk County (approx. 1.1 miles away); 1905 Courthouse Annex (approx. 1.1 miles away); Polk County Courthouse (approx. 1.1 miles away); Polk County, C.S.A. (approx. 1.2 miles away); Livingston (approx. 1.2 miles away); Locomotive No. 5 (approx. 1.2 miles away); Chief John Blount (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Livingston.
Also see . . .
1. One Life, Memoirs: Tall Tales Of Newaygo Newt, Backwoods Philosophy. This link is to a book written by Ernest Sharpe, who traveled with George S. Ely’s circus, and chapter six discusses George S. Ely. (Submitted on July 14, 2020, by Wendy Friday of Gibsonton, Florida.)
2. About the A.H. Baily grave. A.H. Bailey was the 2nd husband of the larger than life Mollie A. Bailey (Mollie Arline Kirkland), who was a performer, Confederate spy, and circus
Photographed By Jim Evans, January 6, 2006
2. Forest Hill Cemetery Marker
Beside the main entrance
Additional commentary.
1. George S. Ely
George S Ely was a circus owner, who traveled Texas and some of the western USA. That likely explains his expensive obelisk monument vs a more modest one that would be typical for performers of this era. This May 11, 1905 The Herrington Sun Kansas newspaper clipping talks about his brother joining the business:
A letter from Everett Ely reveals the fact that he has gone into the circus business. He now has charge of the advance contracting for his brother’s circus: “Geo. S. Ely’s Combined Shows and Trained Animal Exhibit.”
They are now in Illinois and E.E. says they expect to be in Kansas in July or August. The Ely circus has been on the road for twelve years and has been built up from a side-show tent to a respectable round top and middle-pieces. They have twenty-four rigs and an exceptionally strong array of talent. We don't believethey will dare strike Herrington; Everett has so many friends here the whole tent would be filled with comps.Photographed By Jim Evans, January 6, 20063. Cemetery Entry CircleThis circle is soon after the main entrance. The marker is on the left of the statue.
— Submitted July 14, 2020, by Wendy Friday of Gibsonton, Florida.
Photographed By Jim Evans, January 1, 2005
4. Forest Hill Cemetery Information
Photographed By Jim Evans, March 3, 2018
5. Forest Hill Cemetery Marker
The second name under Presidents was my grandfather
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2018, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 390 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on July 14, 2020, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 3, 2018, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
