Historic Texas Cemetery Program
Historic Texas Cemetery Designation
Cemeteries are important keys to Texas’ past. They are reminders of settlement patterns and reveal information about historic events, religion, lifestyles, and genealogy. Unfortunately, historic cemeteries are increasingly threatened by development pressures, encroachment, vandalism, and theft. Circumstances can change quickly—a cemetery considered maintained and safe can quickly become neglected and endangered. To address the problem of cemetery destruction and to record as many cemeteries as possible, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) offers the Historic Texas Cemetery (HTC) designation.
What is the HTC designation?
Begun in 1998, the HTC designation program is an official recognition of family and community graveyards that encourages preservation of historic cemeteries. The designation imposes no restrictions on private owners’ use of the land adjacent to the cemetery or the daily operations of the cemetery. Every county in Texas has at least one cemetery designated as an HTC through this program.
Benefits
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Records the cemetery location and boundaries in the county deed records as a historically dedicated cemetery worthy of preservation.
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Helps preserve cemeteries by alerting present and future landowners of the presence of this important historical resource on their property.
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Prerequisite for participation in the RIP Guardian volunteer network and to apply for an Official Texas Historical Marker for the cemetery.
Requirements
A cemetery is eligible for designation if it is at least 50 years old and is deemed worthy of recognition for its historical associations. The very nature of a cemetery being a landmark of a family’s or community’s presence is considered to validate the criteria of historical associations. Any individual, organization, or agency may submit a request for designation.
The HTC designation is obtained through an application process. A processing fee is required.
Designation process
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Applicant researches the history of the cemetery, completes the Request for Designation, and provides the required documentation (see the Historic Texas Cemetery Request for Designation Instructions).
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Applicant should submit all of the above to the appropriate County Historical Commission (CHC) for review.
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Following county approval, the packet is forwarded to the THC, along with a $25 processing fee.
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THC staff reviews the materials; additional information and/or clarification may be requested
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Upon verification of information and documentation, the THC develops a Declaration of Designation for Cemetery Purposes and Exhibit A map.
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The THC notifies surrounding landowners, the cemetery association and/or caretaker, if applicable, of the pending designation and offers opportunity for comment. At the same time a copy of the Exhibit A map is mailed to the applicant for review.
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Following a comment period, the THC mails an official copy of the declaration and exhibit to the applicant.
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Applicant files the declaration and exhibit with the county clerk for recording in deed records.
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Applicant secures a copy of the recorded documents, complete with filing date, volume and page, and forwards it to the THC.
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In some instances, copies of the recorded documents may be sent to the adjacent landowner(s).
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Upon receipt of copies of the recorded documents, the THC sends a signed HTC certificate to the applicant.
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Copies of the recorded documents are also sent to the cemetery association and/or caretaker if applicable. Copies may also be sent to surrounding landowners in some instances.
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The cemetery is considered designated once the recorded documents are received by the THC.
Historic Texas Cemetery Request for Designation application (PDF)
Historic Texas Cemetery Request for Designation application (Word fill-in form)
Please read the instructions (PDF) before filling out this form. The sample application below is available as a guide.
Sample Historic Texas Cemetery Application (PDF)
Sample Photo Log (Word)
Sample Photo Key (jpg)
Sample Vicinity Map (jpg)
Sample Site Map (jpg)
Sample Appraisal Map (jpg) |
