Zephyr in Brown County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Zephyr Cemetery
The unincorporated town of Zephyr, located on land granted to early settlers Benjamin Head and Felix Wardziski, was established in the 1860s. As the settlement grew, a school was opened in the 1870s, and churches and businesses were established. Mail was delivered weekly from Brownwood.
This cemetery has served the residents of Zephyr and the surrounding area since the 1870s. The earliest known burials in the graveyard are those of three children of the Staggs Family, who died in 1878 and 1879. Another early grave is that of Ann Catherine Sewell Ward (1843-1879).
The first official deed of cemetery property took place in 1899, although it was in use prior to that time. Subsequent land acquisitions have increased the size of the graveyard to more than seven acres.
Among those buried here are thirty-three victims of the devastating tornado of May 29, 1909, which almost completely destroyed the town, and veterans of six wars: the Mexican War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
The Zephyr Cemetery stands as a reminder of the pioneer spirit of the areas early settlers. It is maintained by the Zephyr Cemetery Association.
Erected 1988 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5948.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Disasters • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 31° 39.867′ N, 98° 47.158′ W. Marker is in Zephyr, Texas, in Brown County. It can be reached from the intersection of County Road 259 and U.S. 183. Marker is located in the center part of Zephyr Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Zephyr TX 76890, 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: Zephyr Gospel Tabernacle (approx. 0.8 miles away); Original Location of Zephyr (approx. 0.8 miles away); First Baptist Church of Zephyr (approx. 1.2 miles away); Zephyr Presbyterian Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); Democrat Cemetery (approx. 7.9 miles away); Site of Chesser Valley Community (approx. 9.8 miles away); Mullin United Methodist Church (approx. 10.2 miles away); Site of the Settlement of Williams Ranch (approx. 10.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Zephyr.
More about this marker. The adjacent Historic Texas Cemetery medallion (Texas Marker Number 17457) includes tablets with the following:
The eight acres s.e. of the original Zephyr Cemetery were fenced and donated by A.R. & Pauline (Glass) Hochhalter 1992
Water in Zephyr Cemetery provided in memory of Frank T. Greer (1871-1964) & Miss Pearl Greer (1900-1996) 2005
Also see . . .
1. Zephyr, TX. From the Texas State Historical Associations “Handbook of Texas Online”. (Submitted on October 15, 2015.)
2. Zephyr Cemetery - findagrave.com. (Submitted on October 15, 2015.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,840 times since then and 139 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 15, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.








