Hearne in Robertson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Colored Graveyard in the Old Town of Hearne

Photographed By James Hulse, March 3, 2021

1. Colored Graveyard in the Old Town of Hearne Marker

Inscription.

This cemetery, now represented by a single grave, was a burial site for African American residents of the area. According to folklore, it originated as a farm or slave cemetery. The earliest known burial here dated in 1879, and residents used the graveyard until 1912. In 1947, developers purchased this property; descendants of the interred were forced to move and rebury relatives. However, the children of Hollie Tatnell (d. 1911), a former slave, refused to reinter their mother, forcing developers to build around her grave. Today, this single grave serves as a reminder of the area’s early African-American community and of the sanctity of burial grounds.
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2007

Erected 2007 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14329.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.

Location. 30° 52.274′ N, 96° 35.588′ W. Marker is in Hearne, Texas, in Robertson County. Marker is at the intersection of Wheelock Street and Cypress Street, in the median on Wheelock Street. The marker is located in the middle of the road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 506 Wheelock Street, Hearne TX 77859, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First Baptist Church (approx. half a mile away); St. Philips Episcopal Church (approx. half a mile away); A Century of the Methodist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Robert Cyrus Allen Home (approx. 0.6 miles away); Allen Hardware Store (approx. 0.7 miles away); Greater Riverside Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); Norwood Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); Brazos Manufacturing Company, C.S.A. (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hearne.

The view of the Colored Graveyard in the Old Town of Hearne Marker in the middle of the road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, March 3, 2021

2. The view of the Colored Graveyard in the Old Town of Hearne Marker in the middle of the road

The general view of the Colored Graveyard in the Old Town of Hearne Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, March 3, 2021

3. The general view of the Colored Graveyard in the Old Town of Hearne Marker

The gravestone of Hollie Tatnell (1839 - 1911) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, March 3, 2021

4. The gravestone of Hollie Tatnell (1839 - 1911)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 643 times since then and 234 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 6, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.