South Dallas in Dallas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
L. Butler Nelson Cemetery
L. Butler Nelson Memorial Park includes two historic cemeteries, the oldest of which was previously unnamed. Its earliest marked grave (1896) is that of Cherry Lawler, an 85-year-old grandmother. In 1911, William B. West, John P. Starks and William E. Ewing of Peoples Undertaking Co. purchased the cemetery and named it Woodland (or Woodlawn). Ten years later, Dr. G. W. Brock, a veterinarian, created Hillside Cemetery on adjacent land.
The Rev. L. Butler Nelson came to Dallas in 1954 and worked to involve the African American community in caring for the cemeteries. In 1964, Lillie Belle Dandridge began similar efforts. In the early 1970s, the City of Dallas acquired the property and established the memorial park in Nelson's name to recognize his work.
Today, the park is a link to local African Americans, many of whom came to Dallas before 1865. Among those buried here are: business owners; civil rights activists; pastors; doctors; educators, four for whom local schools are named; and military veterans of conflicts dating to the Spanish-American War. Their lives and the history of all interred here are commemorated in this park.
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2004
Erected 2004 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13103.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites.
Location. 32° 45.44′ N, 96° 45.036′ W. Marker is in Dallas, Texas, in Dallas County. It is in South Dallas. Marker can be reached from Elsie Faye Heggins Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2900 Hatcher Street, Dallas TX 75215, 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. Tueria Dell Marshall (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln High School (approx. 0.2 miles away); John C. McCoy (approx. 0.6 miles away); Richard M. Gano, CSA (approx. 0.6 miles away); Juanita Craft House (approx. 1.1 miles away); WRR Radio (approx. 1.4 miles away); South Boulevard-Park Row Historic District (approx. 1.4 miles away); Fabulous Quarter Horse Steel Dust (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dallas.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2020, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. This page has been viewed 329 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 13, 2020, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.