Port Lavaca in Calhoun County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Ranger Cemetery

Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2021

1. Ranger Cemetery Marker

Inscription. The oldest known grave here is that of Major Horam Watts, the customs collector at Linnville and casualty of a Comanche raid on that nearby settlement, Aug. 8, 1840. The site was called Ranger Cemetery after the burial in 1850 of Margaret Peyton Lytle, wife of James T. Lytle (d. 1854), the "Poet" of the Texas Rangers. When an epidemic broke out during the Civil War (1861-65), a nearby house was used as a hospital. At least 10 federal soldiers were among victims buried here. Members of the 5 families who owned the site are also interred in Ranger Cemetery. Last burial was in 1941.

Erected by Calhoun County Historical Commission

Erected 1975 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4197.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is August 8, 1840.

Location. 28° 37.314′ N, 96° 37.512′ W. Marker is in Port Lavaca, Texas, in Calhoun County. It is on Harbor Street 0.1 miles south of Broadway Street (State Highway 238), on the left when traveling south. The marker is located at the entrance to the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 610 Harbor Street, Port Lavaca TX 77979, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Alsatian Immigration through Lavaca Bay (here, next to this marker); First Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Civil War Torpedo Works

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Naval Shelling of Lavaca (approx. 0.4 miles away); Civil War Bombardment of Port Lavaca (approx. 0.4 miles away); Beach Hotel (approx. 0.4 miles away); San Antonio & Mexican Gulf Railroad (approx. 0.4 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Port Lavaca (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Lavaca.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2021

2. Ranger Cemetery Marker

The Ranger Cemetery Marker is the marker on the right of the two markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2021

3. The Ranger Cemetery Marker is the marker on the right of the two markers

The view of the markers from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2021

4. The view of the markers from the street

Major Horam Watts Gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2021

5. Major Horam Watts Gravestone

Gravestone of Margaret Peyton Lytle, wife of James T. Lytle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 30, 2021

6. Gravestone of Margaret Peyton Lytle, wife of James T. Lytle

Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 898 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 6, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 6. submitted on September 7, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.