Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
1840 Houston City Cemetery
Photographed By Brian Anderson, June 10, 2023
1. 1840 Houston City Cemetery Marker
Inscription.
1840 Houston City Cemetery. . On April 8, 1840, the City of Houston purchased five acres in the First Ward from brothers Henry R. and Samuel L. Allen for $750, in order to establish Houston’s first city owned cemetery. A city ordinance passed later that year divided the cemetery into four sections: (1) a "potters field" for criminals, suicides, and persons killed in duels, (2) the "negroes burying ground," (3) the "commons" for "all others not otherwise provided for," and (4) family plots "for sale to the highest bidder." Later sections were created for members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) and the Masons., As the only city cemetery in use during a forty-year period, it became the final resting place of many citizens of the Republic of Texas and veterans of the Civil War. Also buried in the cemetery were many victims of Houston’s recurring yellow fever epidemics, the last of which occurred in 1867., The city discontinued use of the 1840 cemetery when a new cemetery opened on Allen Parkway ca. 1879, and thereafter only burials in existing family plots were allowed. In 1893, the City Council announced plans to move all remains to a new location and build a schoolhouse on the site. However, public outcry prompted an injunction prohibiting the action., By 1923, this cemetery was neglected and overgrown and very few grave markers were still visible. Jefferson Davis Hospital was built on the site in 1924 and the Houston Fire Department facility was added in 1968. While thousands remain buried here, the only above-ground evidence of the cemetery today is the concrete curbing surrounding the Super family plot in front of the hospital and a small Confederate section inside the Fire Department facility. ,
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2008.
On April 8, 1840, the City of Houston purchased five acres in the First Ward from brothers Henry R. and Samuel L. Allen for $750, in order to establish Houston’s first city owned cemetery. A city ordinance passed later that year divided the cemetery into four sections: (1) a "potters field" for criminals, suicides, and persons killed in duels, (2) the "negroes burying ground," (3) the "commons" for "all others not otherwise provided for," and (4) family plots "for sale to the highest bidder." Later sections were created for members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) and the Masons.
As the only city cemetery in use during a forty-year period, it became the final resting place of many citizens of the Republic of Texas and veterans of the Civil War. Also buried in the cemetery were many victims of Houston’s recurring yellow fever epidemics, the last of which occurred in 1867.
The city discontinued use of the 1840 cemetery when a new cemetery opened on Allen Parkway ca. 1879, and thereafter only burials in existing family plots were allowed. In 1893, the City Council announced plans to move all remains to a new location and build a schoolhouse on the site. However, public outcry prompted an injunction prohibiting the action.
By 1923, this cemetery was neglected and overgrown and very few grave
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markers were still visible. Jefferson Davis Hospital was built on the site in 1924 and the Houston Fire Department facility was added in 1968. While thousands remain buried here, the only above-ground evidence of the cemetery today is the concrete curbing surrounding the Super family plot in front of the hospital and a small Confederate section inside the Fire Department facility.
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2008
Erected 2008 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16008.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical date for this entry is April 8, 1840.
Location. 29° 46.109′ N, 95° 22.076′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. Marker is on Elder Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1101 Elder Street, Houston TX 77007, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2023, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 12, 2023, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.