History

Timeline

1892

Earliest headstone found to date

1896

College Park Cemetery was founded, the first board consisted of Francis G McWilliams, Hugh L McWilliams and R.H. Dodd, all presumed to be white men.  In December of 1896, Adam Clay, also a white man received two vendors lien notes for $550 each giving him title to the Cemetery.

1897

First documented burial, Margaret Whitman, 09-21-1897

1908

Judgment to split the cemetery as a result of Adam Clay’s death– east side given to Emma Clay, Adam’s widow and the west 5.66 acres deeded to College Park Cemetery, which was chartered by F. A. Clay, Adam H. Clay, Henry Clay and John Holm, heirs to Adam Clay. Certified…Read More

1915

Sewer right of way granted through the Cemetery.

1927

Lawsuit between the Adam Clay heirs was filed (still the owners of the cemetery); still believed the cemetery was 10+ acres.

1931

The “east side” of the Cemetery was again shown to belong to some of the Clay heirs, even though some burials had occurred on that side.

1940

Title opinion that verified the western 5.6 acres was the cemetery

1956

College Park Cemetery, Inc. was chartered as the cemetery was purchased from the Clay heirs by Charles Austin’s group, again white men.

1968

Judgment was issued to move the bodies from the east side

1969

Easterly acreage was sold to Allen House Apartments developer

1972

Last documented burial

1981

Owners of College Park Cemetery proposed moving graves to sell a portion of College Park Cemetery for development and to make College Park a perpetual care cemetery.  This proposal eventually died in 1984 as financing and community concerns could not be overcome.

1983

Restoration efforts began and a committee to revitalize College Park Cemetery was organized.  This effort failed due to lack of funds.

1998

Pastor Robertson and Bethel Baptist acquire College Park Cemetery giving the Cemetery its first black owners.

2002

College Park Cemetery is designated a Texas State Historical Cemetery

2008

Clearing the Cemetery is still in process.

2010

College Park Cemetery Association, a Texas Non-Profit, is formed and restoration truly begins

2012

Fence along Dallas St completed, the entire Cemetery is permanently fenced for the first time

2015

 Water service is installed and drainage work begins

2016

The shell road in the Cemetery is totally restored by 2018.

Clean Up April 2019:

 

Headstone tour:

Sculpture by Earl Jones: