Timeline
Earliest headstone found to date
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.
First documented burial, Margaret Whitman, 09-21-1897
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
Sewer right of way granted through the Cemetery.
Lawsuit between the Adam Clay heirs was filed (still the owners of the cemetery); still believed the cemetery was 10+ acres.
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.
Title opinion that verified the western 5.6 acres was the cemetery
College Park Cemetery, Inc. was chartered as the cemetery was purchased from the Clay heirs by Charles Austin’s group, again white men.
Judgment was issued to move the bodies from the east side
Easterly acreage was sold to Allen House Apartments developer
Last documented burial
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.
Restoration efforts began and a committee to revitalize College Park Cemetery was organized. This effort failed due to lack of funds.
Pastor Robertson and Bethel Baptist acquire College Park Cemetery giving the Cemetery its first black owners.
College Park Cemetery is designated a Texas State Historical Cemetery
Clearing the Cemetery is still in process.
College Park Cemetery Association, a Texas Non-Profit, is formed and restoration truly begins
Fence along Dallas St completed, the entire Cemetery is permanently fenced for the first time
Water service is installed and drainage work begins
The shell road in the Cemetery is totally restored by 2018.
Clean Up April 2019:
Headstone tour:
Sculpture by Earl Jones:
