Devine in Medina County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Devine Evergreen Cemetery
Although a fire destroyed the earliest written records of this burial ground, it is known that the first graves are those of Elisha Whitley and Henry McCray who were killed by hostile Indians in 1872. Another early grave is that of Isaac Galbreath (d. 1874), killed by Indians at the age of seventeen. His father, Thomas Galbreath (1823-1902), a Texas Ranger and veteran of the Mexican War (1846-48), is also interred here.
The town of Devine was established in 1881 when a line of the International and Great Northern Railroad was competed from San Antonio to Laredo. It was named for Judge Thomas J. Devine who served as the Attorney for the Railroad Company. J.M. Bright (b. 1830), owner of land platted for the townsite, is buried here.
In 1891 P.C. Hattox conveyed the original 6.5 acres of land at this site for designation as Evergreen Cemetery. A cemetery association, formed the same year, was set up to sell lots and direct volunteer clean-up days. Additional property was later acquired to provide for future expansion.
Reorganized in the 1960s because of the declining condition of the cemetery, the association provided for the collection of voluntary donations to be used for maintenance of the grounds.
Erected 1980 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1213.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Railroads & Streetcars • War, Mexican-American • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
Location. 29° 9.196′ N, 98° 53.892′ W. Marker is in Devine, Texas, in Medina County. Marker is at the intersection of Colonial Parkway and North Teel Drive, on the left when traveling east on Colonial Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Devine TX 78016, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Devine Lodge, No. 590 (approx. 0.8 miles away); Judge Thomas J. Devine (approx. one mile away); First Baptist Church of Devine (approx. one mile away); American Legion Memorial (approx. one mile away); Last Person Killed by Indians in Medina County (approx. one mile away); Stroud's Blacksmith Shop (approx. 1.2 miles away); Spanish Exploration in Medina County (approx. 2.6 miles away); Charco de la Pita (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Devine.
Also see . . . Thomas Jefferson Devine (1820–1890). The Handbook of Texas (Submitted on December 16, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 16, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.