Jane Waters rests here, in the quiet solitude of Waters Cemetery. This often-overlooked burial ground holds a fascinating history, tucked away within the bustling confines of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Waters Cemetery, established in 1890, isn’t your typical cemetery visit. It requires permission and an escort from airport police due to security restrictions. The cemetery takes its name from Jane Waters, whose weathered headstone marks her passing in 1900 at the age of 55. Her epitaph, “Gone But Not Forgotten,” reflects the sentiment for many buried here. Waters Cemetery served as the final resting place for a diverse community, represented by the Anglo-Saxon, African American, and Hispanic surnames etched onto the remaining headstones. The cemetery holds around 45 burials, dating from 1891 to 1922. While once home to over 40 headstones, only 24 remain standing, bearing witness to the passage of time and the impact of the elements. Many graves lie unmarked, their stories silent beneath the Texas soil. The proximity of Onion Creek, while picturesque, presents challenges. Poison oak and snakes make winter the ideal time for a visit. The city performs clean-up only when visits are scheduled, adding to the air of peaceful seclusion. The stories whispered among the stones at Waters Cemetery are poignant echoes of lives lived. Edmund and Rhody Billingsley, their shared headstone marking their final rest together. Young Leslie Crenshaw, just four years old when he passed in 1913, buried alongside his father William, who died just months old in 1924. George Davis, aged 32, and Caroline Easley, aged 85, their lives separated by decades yet joined in their final resting place. Waters Cemetery is more than just a collection of names and dates. It’s a tapestry woven with the threads of Austin’s history, a testament to a diverse community. A reminder that even within the modern landscape of an international airport, the past persists, waiting to share its stories with those who take the time to listen.
Longhorn Point
The shoreline whispers stories of erosion. Longhorn Point stands firm a testament to resilience. It’s a place where the Colorado