Resting silently amid the sprawling grounds, the Hollywood Cemetery Plaque stands as a testament to Houston’s rich past. This isn’t just any cemetery; it’s a historical landmark recognized by the Texas Historical Commission. The story of Hollywood Cemetery begins long before the plaque was erected.
In the spring of 1895, brothers William James Moore and Samuel B. Moore purchased 55 acres. This marked the beginning of what would become one of Houston’s oldest and largest cemeteries. The Hollywood Cemetery Association of Harris County was officially chartered on December 23, 1902.
Originally, the entrance was a bridge over Little White Oak Bayou. It welcomed visitors from Fulton Avenue. However, the construction of Interstate 45 led to the entrance being moved to the west side of the property.
The first burial here was Buck Henry Warner. He was only ten months old when he died in July 1895. Since then, over 30000 graves have been added to Hollywood Cemetery.
Many prominent Houstonians are buried here. Among them are actors, artists, mayors, judges, and the city’s first librarian. Veterans from the Civil War to more recent conflicts also rest here. Notable figures include naturalist Henry Philemon Attwater, nurseryman Shinpei Mykawa, mayors Richard H. Fonville and Andrew Lee Jackson, and Texas House Speaker Franklin O. Fuller.
For its first hundred years, Hollywood Cemetery saw several management changes. Frank P. Moore managed it for the first 25 years until his death in 1919. Owen H. Gatton took over from 1919 to 1926. The Hall family managed the cemetery for almost 70 years from 1926 to 1994.
In January 2009, a new ownership group purchased the property. They renamed it Historic Hollywood Cemetery. This change reflected its status as a historical landmark. The Hollywood Cemetery Plaque was received later that year.
Today, Historic Hollywood Cemetery spans 60 acres. It continues to serve the community. The Historic Hollywood Cemetery, Inc. ensures that this beautiful and historic space is well cared for. This plaque is more than just a marker. It signifies a century of history and remembrance. It connects us to the stories of those who shaped Houston. Take a moment to appreciate the legacy preserved within these grounds and on the Hollywood Cemetery Plaque.