Arwine Cemetery Plaque

A solemn silence hangs in the air, a stark contrast to the bustle of Dallas just a stone’s throw away. Here, amidst weathered headstones and whispering trees, we find the Arwine Cemetery Plaque. Don’t let its unassuming appearance fool you! This plaque marks more than just a cemetery. It represents the heart of a community forged in the crucible of frontier life. Daniel Arwine, a former Deputy U.S. Marshal, arrived in Texas from Indiana in 1865 seeking a fresh start. In 1879, he donated six acres of his land, a testament to his commitment to the burgeoning community. This land was to be the site of a school, a church, and a final resting place – the Arwine Cemetery. Imagine the scene: a simple wooden schoolhouse doubling as a church on Sundays, filled with the voices of children and hymns of the faithful. The cemetery, a tapestry of life and loss, holds the stories of these early settlers. Tragically, the first burial in 1879 was Daniel’s own daughter Katy, a poignant reminder of the hardships faced by these pioneers. The oldest legible headstone belongs to Enoch Sexton, Daniel’s uncle, who died in 1890. Today, the Arwine family rests alongside those whose lives intertwined with theirs, their stories etched not just in stone, but in the very soul of Hurst. The Arwine Cemetery, meticulously cared for by descendants and local Boy Scouts, stands as a testament to their enduring legacy. This plaque, erected in 1977, serves as a reminder to us all: to remember those who came before, to honor their struggles, and to cherish the community they built.