Pioneer Hill in Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Salem Cemetery
Photographed By Richard Denney, October 18, 2021
1. Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Salem Cemetery Marker
Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Salem purchased three acres here in 1882 for a sanctuary and a cemetery. The building served as the central point for religious, educational and social activities for the Walnut Creek community until it was lost to a fire in the mid-1930s. Many graves are now unmarked, but descendants still care for the plot of Thomas Mack (1846-1919) and Ophelia Elizabeth (1857-1932) Madison, whose families farmed this land since prior to emancipation. The 1872 gravestone of Peter Elder is one of the oldest at this site that chronicles this early Travis County community.
Texas Historic Cemetery 1999
Erected 1999 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16199.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.
Location. 30° 21.427′ N, 97° 39.49′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Pioneer Hill. Marker can be reached from Criswell Road north of Bettylou Lane. The marker is on private property not accessible without prior arrangements with family. Entrance to the cemetery is near 10309 Criswell Rd,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Barr Mansion (approx. ¾ mile away); Aynesworth-Wright House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms (approx. 0.8 miles away); 700 Year Old Live Oak (approx. 1.7 miles away); Fiskville (approx. 2½ miles away); Oertli Dairy (approx. 2.6 miles away); Walnut Creek Baptist Church (approx. 2.9 miles away); Boyce Family Cemetery (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.
Also see . . .
1. Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Salem Cemetery at Find-A-Grave. (Submitted on October 19, 2021, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
2. Travis Count Historical Commission article on Mount Salem church, school and cemetery. (Submitted on October 24, 2021, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
Photographed By Richard Denney, October 18, 2021
2. Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Salem Cemetery Marker
Photographed By Richard Denney, October 18, 2021
3. Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Salem Cemetery Entry Gate
The marker is on private property and requires prior arrangements for entry to the cemetery.
Photographed By Richard Denney, October 18, 2021
4. Headstone of Peter Elder
This headstone of Peter Elder is referenced on the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2021, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 282 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 18, 2021, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
