Near Thornton in Limestone County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

McKenzie Cemetery

Photographed by James Hulse, February 13, 2026

1. McKenzie Cemetery Marker

Inscription. The area surrounding this graveyard was known as McKenzie Prairie, named for Joseph S. McKenzie and his family who settled here in 1853. The oldest grave here is that of Elizabeth Etemon and her infant daughter, who died while traveling through the area in 1865. The McKenzies set aside land for the burial. It was marked with sandstone carved by Elizabeth's husband, who then left and continued his journey. Gradually, the one-acre plot became a community burial ground, the final resting place for the McKenzie family, their neighbors, and their descendants.

Erected 1995 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3298.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 31° 21.322′ N, 96° 21.048′ W. Marker is near Thornton, Texas, in Limestone County. It is on County Road 742 half a mile north of County Road 740. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 350 Lcr 742, Thornton TX 76687, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies

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& Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sansom/Wedgman Cemetery (approx. one mile away); Sansom Cemetery (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Sansom Cemetery (approx. one mile away); John Sadler (approx. 2½ miles away); Ferguson Cemetery (approx. 2½ miles away); Site of Oletha Common School (approx. 3.8 miles away); Old Union Community (approx. 4.8 miles away); Site of Old Potter's Shop (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thornton.

McKenzie Cemetery and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 13, 2026

2. McKenzie Cemetery and Marker

Photographed by James Hulse, February 13, 2026

3. McKenzie Cemetery Marker

The view of the marker in the cemetery.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 13, 2026

4. McKenzie Cemetery Marker

The view of the front of the cemetery from the access road.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 49 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 14, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.