Near Riesel in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Santa Cruz Cemetery

Photographed By Doug Green, March 17, 2024

1. Santa Cruz Cemetery Marker

Inscription. First established as a burial ground for several Hispanic children who died in a 1914 epidemic, Santa Cruz Cemetery was also referred to historically as Driskell Farm Cemetery and Neale Farm Cemetery. At the time, when the children's families had no place to bury their dead, Freemason Eustolio M. Cruz asked another local farmer, Will P. Driskell, if he would allow Mexican-Americans to be buried on a portion of his land. The children's graves were marked with wooden crosses which have not survived. In 1920, Driskell deeded the grounds, amounting to 2.1 acres, to the Santa Cruz Graveyard Association, now the Santa Cruz Cemetery Association. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2016

Erected 2016 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 20096.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Hispanic Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 31° 30.903′ N, 97° 1.316′ W. Marker is near Riesel, Texas, in McLennan County. Marker is on West Lake Creek Road (Farm to Market Road 1860) one mile south of Texas Highway 6, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: W Lake Creek Rd, Riesel TX 76682, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this

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marker, measured as the crow flies. Torrey's Trading Post No. 2 (approx. 1.4 miles away); Edward Ferdinant Forsgard (approx. 5.2 miles away); Ole Canuteson (approx. 5.4 miles away); Dr. John Henry Sears (approx. 5.4 miles away); Hallie Earle, M.D. (approx. 5.4 miles away); Dr. Rufus Columbus Burleson (approx. 5½ miles away); Oakwood Cemetery (approx. 5.6 miles away); Confederate Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.6 miles away).

Santa Cruz Cemetery Marker with Cemetery in Background image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Doug Green, March 17, 2024

2. Santa Cruz Cemetery Marker with Cemetery in Background

Santa Cruz Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Doug Green, March 17, 2024

3. Santa Cruz Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2024, by Doug Green of Sugar Land, Texas. This page has been viewed 70 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 23, 2024, by Doug Green of Sugar Land, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.