Mitte Cultural District in Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Brownsville City Cemetery

Photographed by James Hulse, April 19, 2023

1. Brownsville City Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Although this cemetery was not formally deeded to the city of Brownsville until 1868, dates on marked tombstones indicate the site was being used as a graveyard by the late 1850s. Buried here are some of the earliest settlers to arrive in this part of the Rio Grande Valley, including the Rev. Hiram Chamberlain (1797-1866), who founded the first Presbyterian church in Brownsville and whose daughter Henrietta married noted South Texas rancher Richard King. Others buried here include city and county government leader Joseph Webb (1850-1933), Sheriff Santiago Brito (1851-1892), first Mayor and County Judge Israel Bigelow (1811-1869), and Mexican War surgeon Charles MacManus (1824-1906).

The Brownsville City Cemetery reveals much of the city's history. Victims of wars, gunfights, yellow fever, and cholera are buried here and their graves are evidence of early conditions in the border town. The number of above-ground crypts, ornate monuments, and ironwork fences reflects the Spanish-French influence in the area. English, French, Spanish, and German tombstone inscriptions are indicative of the city's ethnic mixture.

Still in use after more than one hundred years, the Brownsville City Cemetery continues to serve as a historic reminder of the region's rich heritage,

Erected 1983 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 539.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Immigration. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 25° 54.506′ N, 97° 30.016′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. It is in the Mitte Cultural District. It is at the intersection of East 5th Street and East Madison Street, on the left when traveling east on East 5th Street. The marker is located at the southeastern entrance to the cemetery.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 955 E 5th St, Brownsville TX 78520, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also 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: Old City Cemetery (here, next to this marker); Jose San Roman (here, next to this marker); Samuel W. Brooks (a few steps from this marker); Daisy Starck (within shouting distance of this marker); Emilio Forto (within shouting distance of this marker); Israel Bonaparte Bigelow (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary B. Sloss (within shouting distance of this marker); Rafael Morales (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

National Register of Historic Places plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 19, 2023

2. National Register of Historic Places plaque

The entrance to the Brownsville City Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 19, 2023

3. The entrance to the Brownsville City Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 603 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 3, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.