Freedman's Cemetery (Texas)

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Freedman's Cemetery
Freedman's Cemetery (Texas)
Details
Established1861
Location
Dallas, Texas
Coordinates 32°48′12″N96°47′38″W / 32.803207°N 96.793853°W / 32.803207; -96.793853
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The Freedman's Cemetery, or Freemen's Cemetery, was established in 1861 as a burial ground for the early African American population in Dallas, Texas. [1] [2] It was an active burial site from 1869 until 1907, supported by the historic Black settlement of Freeman's town founded by formerly enslaved people (the town was located roughly 1 mile (1.6 km) from Deep Ellum, Dallas). [3]

The cemetery was lost sometime after the building of the North Central Expressway in the mid-1940s, which cut through the space. [2] Local authorities had removed the grave stones and covered the cemetery with a lawn to form a city park. [2] In the summer of 1990, the Freedman's Cemetery burial ground was rediscovered when the park was renovated; some 800 marked graves were found and an estimated 1,200 unmarked graves. [2]

The Freedman's Cemetery Memorial was created in 1990, to honor those that were buried and provide community healing. [4] The memorial is part of a cemetery tour in Uptown, Dallas, and sits near the Emanu-El Cemetery, the Calvary Cemetery, and the Greenwood Cemetery. [5] It has designation as a Dallas Landmark since 1992, and is part of the State Historic Marker program in Texas since 1993. [5]

See also

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References

  1. Kimble, Megan (2021-09-17). "Forgetful City". The Texas Observer . Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Cheshire, Ashley (1990-07-30). "Highway project uncovers history". Fort Worth Star-Telegram . p.1 and p. 8. Retrieved 2023-07-24 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Steckel, Richard H.; Rose, Jerome C. (2002). The Backbone of History: Health and Nutrition in the Western Hemisphere. Cambridge University Press. pp. 227, 268. ISBN   978-0-521-80167-6.
  4. "Freedman's Memorial: A Place for Healing". South Dallas Cultural Center. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  5. 1 2 "Freedmans Cemetery". Dallas City Hall . Retrieved 2023-07-20.