City Cemetery

Historical marker dedication will be held on Saturday

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) has recognized the Old City Cemetery in Rockdale as a significant part of Texas history by awarding a Texas Historical Cemetery marker. The Old City Cemetery is the final resting place for many of Rockdale’s influential citizens, which included entrepreneurs, local politicians, school teachers, Civil War veterans, church leaders and a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto. The cemetery is the final resting place of many whose names are not found on road signs, but whose contributions are evident in the city’s cultural and architectural heritage, such as laborers and housewives.

A dedication ceremony to commemorate the event will be held at twilight on Saturday, October 8 at 6 p.m. at the Old City Cemetery on East First Street. Speakers for the evening will include Rockdale Mayor Brett Boren, as well as representatives from the Milam County Historical Commission and Milam County Judge Steve Young. The public is invited to share in and witness this exciting historical event and to tour the cemetery at twilight following the marker dedication. Please bring a flashlight for the tour.

“The Official Texas Historical Marker program helps bring attention to community treasures and the importance of their preservation,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the THC. “Awareness and education are among the best ways to guarantee the preservation of our state’s history. This designation is a tool that will increase public awareness of important cultural resources,” Wolfe said.

A subject qualifies for a marker if two basic criteria are met: historical significance and age. Historical significance is established by reviewing its role and importance in local history, and the age requirement depends on the topic. The THC’s Official Texas Marker Policies are outlined in the Official Texas Historical Marker Procedures, which may be obtained by contacting the History Programs Division, Texas Historical Commission, at 512/463-5853 or visiting the web site at www.thc. texas.gov.

“It is vital that as we move forward, we do not forget our past. Not only will the Texas Historical Cemetery Marker provide awareness in the community of our fascinating history, but it will become a building block for the promotion of local tourism,” said Joan Ratliff, Chair Milam County Historical Commission.

There are three types of Texas Historical Markers. Subject markers are posted solely for public education awareness and awarded more frequently than the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL), which is a legal designation for historic structures and comes with a measure of protection. Unlike subject markers, the RTHL must also meet a third criterion—architectural integrity. Historic Texas Cemetery (HTC) markers identify cemeteries which have obtained the HTC designation and whose histories have been researched in detail.

Texas has the largest marker program in the United States with approximately 15,000 markers. Seventeen states have used the Texas program as a model: the THC reviews more than 300 marker applications each year.