Remember those well-traveled pioneer roads? We’re standing at the intersection of two of them now. This is where you’ll find the Pleasant Mound Cemetery Plaque. It marks a spot rich in Dallas history. The Pleasant Mound Cemetery reflects the heritage of this area.
Burials began here as early as 1864. The first marked grave belongs to William L. Knox. His headstone dates to 1881. In that year, Newton and Catherine Hustead made a formal donation. They gave the land to the Pleasant Mound Methodist Church. It was for use as a cemetery.
Over time, more land was added. The Pleasant Mound Cemetery Association has maintained it since 1906. The Texas Historical Marker at the entrance was erected in 1992.
James Jackson Beeman arrived in Texas from Illinois in 1840. He helped build Bird’s Fort. In 1841, he moved to John Neely Bryan’s settlement, which became Dallas. Beeman’s 1640-acre survey included this land. He was the uncle by marriage to John Neely Bryan.
On March 8, 1848, Beeman buried his wife, Sarah Crawford Beeman, here. Later, neighbors were allowed to bury their dead here too. The first trustees in 1887 were J. W. Miller, James Pruitt, and J. H. Shannon. Pioneers buried here helped shape Dallas. The Historical Marker dedication took place on April 23, 1972.
Pleasant Mound Cemetery is on the John S. Beeman Survey Number 100. John S. was one of the Texas Rangers. He was recruited in 1840 to help build Bird’s Fort. John S. Beeman married Isabelle Bryan. They received a patent for 640 acres of land. This cemetery site is higher than the land east of White Rock Creek.
A Methodist church was organized in the community. It met in a two-story building built in 1863. Catherine Beeman and her husband, Jasper Newton Hustead, donated land to the Methodist Church South in 1878. This was to build their own church. In 1881, the Husteads deeded about two acres for cemetery purposes. The deed stated that lots were sold for five dollars each. This was to pay for lumber and supplies to build the church.
Early records show four burials before the official designation. The first unmarked grave was in 1869. The names of those buried are unknown. The Husteads erected a cupola. They are buried there with an infant child. The deed says the cupola must remain intact.
Initially, the Methodist Episcopal Church South trustees cared for the cemetery. Families handled the opening and closing of graves. William “Lucky” Knox, born in Mississippi, was the first marked grave in 1881. He came to Texas in 1874. He was the postmaster at Mesquite in 1876.
The original cemetery records were lost in a fire. Will Blair’s store burned down. In 1906, the Pleasant Mound Cemetery Association formed. In 1907, the church granted them a charter. They assumed maintenance of the cemetery.
The church moved in 1953. It relocated to the corner of Bruton Road and Pleasant Drive. The vacated corner was sold for a service station. Members of the Methodist Church and others still bury loved ones here.
In 1974, Winston Robinson managed the cemetery. His father, Reverend Robert W. Robinson, had been at the first meeting of the Association. Winston maintained the cemetery until he died in 1996.
A small brick building was built on the grounds in 1988. It served the needs of the Association. A columbarium was added in 2000. In that place cinerary urns are stored.
Many descendants of the first settlers are buried in this cemetery. The Elam, Blair, Wideman, Lanham, and Bruton families rest here. In 2000, the Camron family remains were moved to Pleasant Mound Cemetery.
This cemetery will continue to serve the community. It will be a reminder of early settlers. They developed Dallas County. Take a moment to appreciate the history beneath your feet. The Pleasant Mound Cemetery Plaque marks more than just a location. It signifies generations of stories and memories.