Brownsboro in Henderson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Brownsboro Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery

Photographed by Amanda Hartley, June 5, 2010

1. Brownsboro Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery Marker

Inscription. After migrating from Norway in 1845, Ole Reierson bought the land that included this cemetery site (1.1 mi. ESE). He chose the spot for his burial and carved several of the plain brown gravestones before he died in 1852. The cemetery's 24 marked and 81 unmarked graves are mostly those of Norwegian immigrants. A Lutheran church, built nearby in 1889, served as a cemetery chapel until the 1920s. Will Tergerson tended the site for many years. An association formed in 1974 by descendants of early settlers now maintains it.

Erected 1976 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10345.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the Norwegian-Americans series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location. 32° 18.148′ N, 95° 36.799′ W. Marker is in Brownsboro, Texas, in Henderson County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 31 and Stuart Street, on the left when traveling west on State Highway 31. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brownsboro TX 75756, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and in the Piney Woods.

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of Old Normandy (here, next to this marker); Rock Hill Cemetery (approx. 4.3 miles away); Edom Methodist Church (approx. 4.8 miles away); Edom (approx. 4.8 miles away); Potters Brown (approx. 4.8 miles away); Site of C.W. Morris Cotton Gin

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(approx. 4.9 miles away); Tyler-Porter's Bluff Road (approx. 4.9 miles away); First Baptist Church of Edom (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsboro.

More about this marker. The marker is erected right next to another marker.

Regarding Brownsboro Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery. You can reach the actual cemetery described by the marker by traveling East from the marker on SH 31. Turn right on CR 3204. Continue on CR 3204 until you see a large green sign on your left that reads Brownsboro Cemetery and Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery with arrows pointing right. Turn right onto that first street which is CR 3420. Travel approximately .05 miles. The main road will curve to the left, you will curve to the right and follow the sign that reads Brownsboro Cemetery. The road dead ends at the Brownsboro Cemetery. If you walk back up the road a bit the way you came there will be aluminum steps on your left. This is the Norwegian Lutheran cemetery.

Also see . . . Brownsboro Cemetery • Brownsboro, Henderson Co, Texas.

The town of Old Normandy was near the site of present-day Brownsboro. It was
Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 17, 2012

2. Brownsboro Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery Marker, right, along Texas 31
established in 1845 by Johan Reinert Reiersen of Kristiansand, Norway, who urged Norwegian immigrants to settle in the new community. In the summer of 1847, a number of settlers died and many of the Norwegian immigrants moved to Four Mile Prairie in Van Zandt County and Prairieville in Kaufman County, also established by Reiersen

(Submitted on May 8, 2025, by Luci j Baker Johnson of Seattle, Washington.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2010, by Amanda Hartley of Tyler, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,542 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 7, 2010, by Amanda Hartley of Tyler, Texas. 2. submitted on November 1, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.