Sipe Springs in Comanche County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Sipe Springs Cemetery
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, September 6, 2026
1. Sipe Springs Cemetery Marker
Pioneers settled this area about 1870, after finding water seeping from a spring. There was controversy from the beginning over the correct spelling of the name, which is pronounced "Seep." The town soon grew into a milling and ginning center for this region.
Upon the death of Pratt Scarlett in 1873, John C. Smith (1828-1907) gave five acres for a cemetery, but the title was not clear. A large stone carved with Scarlett's death date was buried at the foot of his grave. Several burial sites in the old part of the cemetery have plain sandstone markers.
In 1890 the area residents built a tabernacle at the burial ground. Enlarged in 1951, it is still used for gatherings such as the annual homecoming in July.
An oil boom came to Sipe Springs in the winter of 1918 and the village grew to almost 10,000. The town boasted an opera house and a professional baseball team. About that time Nels and Sarah Crain acquired a clear title to the cemetery tract. Their heirs gave it to the Sipe Springs Cemetery Association.
The graveyard is still in use today with about 1150 grave sites including veterans from the Civil War
this page online
Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4714.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 32° 6.436′ N, 98° 47.667′ W. Marker is in Sipe Springs, Texas, in Comanche County. It is on County Road 191 0.6 miles west of County Road 190, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 399 Co Rd 191, De Leon TX 76444, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Big Country. 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 Comancherνa, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Nineveh Cemetery (approx. 4.8 miles away); Oakland Cemetery
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, September 6, 2026
2. Sipe Springs Cemetery and marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
