Ennis in Ellis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Burnam Square and Cemetery

(6.5 mi. SW)

Photographed By James Hulse, January 11, 2021

1. Burnam Square and Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

William R. and Edeline House bought the land on which Burnam Square and Cemetery were located in 1856 for the price of a slave named John. In 1861, after her husband died, Edeline House had the 25-block town laid out and donated one acre for a graveyard. The Houston and Texas Central Railroad bypassed Burnam Square in 1871 and founded Ennis. Residents and businesses moved here, causing Burnam Square to decline. The 40-grave burial site is all that remains of the once thriving community of Burnam Square.

Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7086.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 32° 19.265′ N, 96° 37.785′ W. Marker is in Ennis, Texas, in Ellis County. Marker is at the intersection of South Clay Street and West Lampasas Street, on the left when traveling south on South Clay Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ennis TX 75119, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker. Jack Lummus (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ennis City Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ennis National Bank Building (approx. half a mile away); LaJuan Schlegel (approx. half a mile away); Minnie McDowal (approx. half a mile away); Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. half a mile away); Town of Ennis (approx. half a mile away); Railroads in Ennis (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ennis.

Also see . . . Burnham, TX. The Handbook of Texas website entry:
When the Houston and Texas Central Railway bypassed Burnham on its way to Ennis in 1872, many of Burnham's businesses were moved to be on the railroad. It had originally been planned that the railroad would go through Burnham, but railroad officials changed the route. Several men from Burnham went to Ennis with guns demanding the railroad for their community. In the ensuing shoot-out one person was killed and several wounded. (Submitted on January 17, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed By James Hulse, January 11, 2021

2. Burnam Square and Cemetery Marker

The view of the Burnam Square and Cemetery Marker from the road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, January 11, 2021

3. The view of the Burnam Square and Cemetery Marker from the road

Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 259 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 17, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.