Huntsville in Walker County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Emancipation Park
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 8, 2026
1. Emancipation Park Marker
Celebrations of "Juneteenth"--the anniversary of the June 19, 1865 emancipation of Texas slaves--were first held in homes and churches. Later, festivities took place outdoors. By 1915, Huntsville blacks, led by former slave Jane Ward (d. 1933), had moved the annual observance to this site, known as Emancipation Park. Dave Williams, another former slave, organized the Band and Park Association to raise the down payment on the property. In 1933, R. A. Josey, a white businessman, completed purchase of the land for use by the black community. The 9.04 acre site became a city park in 1963.
Erected 1976 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8446.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 19, 1865.
Location. 30° 43.835′ N, 95° 32.55′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Texas, in Walker County. It is on Martin Luther King Dr south of Thomason Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 302 Ave F,
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Regionally, this marker is 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, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Harmon Luther Lowman (approx. 0.2 miles away); The W.W. Adickes Addition to Oakwood Cemetery (approx. Ό mile away); Original Site of The Steamboat House (approx. Ό mile away); Elliott Toulmin Bowers (approx. Ό mile away); Harry Fishburne Estill (approx. Ό mile away); Charles Norton Shaver (approx. 0.3 miles away); Powell Sanctuary (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jesse Parker (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntsville.
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 8, 2026
2. Emancipation Park Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 9, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
