Remember Rylie Cemetery. Here lies a story etched in stone and time. This is more than just a burial ground. It is a chronicle of community. It reflects the enduring spirit of the Rylie Prairie settlers.
Let’s step back to 1878. John Armstrong Rylie donated this land. His gift was for a school for the settlers of southeast Dallas County. Redden Allumbaugh’s burial in 1889 marked a shift. The property began its second life as a cemetery.
Since then, over 400 people have been interred here. These include Rylie Prairie’s earliest settlers and their descendants. The Rylie Cemetery Plaque stands as a testament to their lives. It reminds us of their hardships and triumphs.
Look around. Imagine those early days. Picture a one-room log schoolhouse standing where stones now rest. The school even served as a church for a time. Think about the children who learned here. Consider the families who built their lives in this community.
Notice the Texas Historic Commission Marker. It was placed here to honor the cemetery. It recognizes the Rylie Cemetery’s historical significance. It highlights the final resting place of Hartwell Bolin Cox. He was a Civil War veteran. He served in Company B, 19th Regiment, Texas Cavalry.
In 1962, the Rylie Cemetery Association was founded. Its mission was simple. It maintains the graveyard. It ensures that this sacred space remains a place of respect.
Consider the unmarked graves. Many are marked only with small pieces of stone or concrete. No records exist for those buried here. These unknown souls add to the cemetery’s mystique. They tell a silent story of lives lived and lost.
The Rylie Cemetery is more than just names and dates. It is a tapestry of lives woven together. It reflects the history of Rylie Prairie. Once a thriving community, Rylie Prairie boasted a school and two churches. There was also a post office, a grist mill and a cotton gin. Several general stores served the community too.
The Texas Trunk Railroad even platted the town. Hartwell B. Cox named the streets. Only Ellenwood and Mulberry Street names remain today.
Walk among these stones. Feel the weight of history. Reflect on the lives of those who came before. The Rylie Cemetery Plaque serves as a gateway. It connects us to the past. It reminds us of the importance of community and remembrance. It ensures their stories are never forgotten.