Alief in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Alief Cemetery
The first permanent settlers in this area were Dr. John Magee and his wife, Alief, who came from Ellis County in 1896. The community originally was known as Dairy, but was renamed in 1897 for Mrs. Magee, the town's first Postmistress. By 1899, there was a small but growing community here, with most families involved in ranching and farming.
In 1900, the need for a cemetery became evident, and this property was deeded for use as a graveyard by Francis I. Meston to Dr. John Magee, Newton Gentry, and Hardy Price. Many of the early settlers are buried here, including Alief Magee (1851-1899) and cotton farmer John D. Cook (1867-1954). About one-half of the approximately 100 graves are those of babies, pointing to the hardships resulting from childbirth and infant diseases.
The 1900 hurricane caused much property damage in Alief, and many families became discouraged and left the community. Most of them later returned to help fight the problem of area flooding, including organization of the first Harris County Flood Control District.
Although little evidence of the original community remains, the Alief Cemetery stands as a reminder of its pioneer heritage. The graves are maintained by the Alief Cemetery Historical Association
Erected 1984 by Texas Historical Commission . (Marker Number 10589.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.
Location. 29° 42.191′ N, 95° 36.286′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Alief. Marker is at the intersection of South Dairy Ashford Road and Bellaire Boulevard, on the right when traveling south on South Dairy Ashford Road. The marker is located 100 feet south of the front gate. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6900 S Dairy Ashford Rd, Houston TX 77072, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Dairy (Alief) (approx. one mile away); Prairie Grove Cemetery (approx. 1.7 miles away); Edward King Tung Chen (approx. 3.4 miles away); Gray Lodge No. 329, A.F.& A.M. (approx. 3˝ miles away); Rabindranath Tagore (approx. 3.6 miles away); Moore Log House (approx. 5.2 miles away); Sugar Land First United Methodist Church (approx. 5.2 miles away); Hodge's Bend Cemetery (approx. 5˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.
Also see . . . Alief Texas. TexasEscapes.com (Submitted on November 3, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 445 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 3, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 6. submitted on November 5, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.