Bovina in Parmer County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Bovina Cemetery
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 17, 2015
1. Bovina Cemetery Marker
Prior to the founding of the city of Bovina, the XIT Ranch located its southern headquarters in this vicinity. The Pecos and Northern Texas Railway built through the ranch in 1898, and the settlement became known as Bull Town because of cattle frequently found on the tracks. A community developed around the railhead, and in January 1899 the official post office name became Bovina. Due to a boom in cattle shipping, the town's population began to grow after the turn of the 20th century. Since then, the city has owned this cemetery, which was maintained for a time by the Bovina Cemetery Association.
The XIT Ranch initially used this site for burials of cowboys. Oral tradition holds that several grave markers initially bore only common names of the cowboys, such as Dusty and Big Jim. It is believed there were approximately 40 such graves, but all are now unmarked. The earliest marked grave is that of J.W. McDonald (d. 1907). Bovina Cemetery is the final resting place of veterans of military conflicts dating to World War I, as well as generations of area residents.
Historic Texas Cemetery – 2004
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1899.
Location. 34° 30.761′ N, 102° 52.751′ W. Marker is in Bovina, Texas, in Parmer County. Marker is at the intersection of South Street and 1st Street, on the right when traveling east on South Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bovina TX 79009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bovina United Methodist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bovina (approx. 0.9 miles away); Site of Parmerton (approx. 6.4 miles away); Oklahoma Lane (approx. 10.8 miles away); Site of First Church in City of Friona (approx. 12.4 miles away); Friona's First Barbershop (approx. 12˝ miles away); Friona Schools (approx. 12˝ miles away); Friona (approx. 12.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bovina.
Also see . . . James Woodson McDonald. Find A Grave memorial for James Woodson McDonald. (Submitted on October 30, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.)
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 17, 2015
2. Bovina Cemetery Marker
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 17, 2015
3. Bovina Cemetery Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 388 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 30, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of grave sites in cemetery. Possibly graves of individuals representing burials noted in marker text. • Can you help?
