Near Kirvin in Freestone County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Shanks Cemetery
Photographed by James Hulse, April 19, 2021
1. Shanks Cemetery Marker
Matthews and Robert Shanks of Alabama settled here with their families in 1859. A small farming community developed, and in 1870 a school was built on a one-acre site donated by R. C. Murray. Land beside the schoolyard became a public burial ground, known as Shanks Cemetery after Shanks Post Office opened in 1896. The earliest recorded burial was Burgess A. Whatley (1854-1892). In 1893 G.W. Bell deeded another half acre east of the graveyard. The school building was torn down in 1917. Shanks Cemetery Association has maintained the site since 1935.
Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9904.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.
Location. 31° 43.939′ N, 96° 19.913′ W. Marker is near Kirvin, Texas, in Freestone County. It is at the intersection of County Highway 950 and Farm to Market Road 80, on the left when traveling east on County Highway 950. The marker is located in front of the pavilion in the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Teague TX 75860, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sessions Cemetery (approx. 2.7 miles away); Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church and School (approx. 3.1 miles away); Woodland Heritage
this page online
Photographed by James Hulse, April 19, 2021
2. Shanks Cemetery and Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, April 19, 2021
3. The view of the Shanks Cemetery and Marker from the front gate
Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 589 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 21, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
