Twelve weathered headstones. That’s all that remains. That’s what greets you at Shelton’s Bear Creek Cemetery. This small plaque marks a place of profound history a poignant reminder of a forgotten community.
Shelton’s Bear Creek Cemetery isn’t just a cemetery. It’s a testament to the resilience of the African American community in Dallas County. It stands as silent witness to their lives and struggles. For over 150 years this land has held the remains of freed slaves and their descendants.
Imagine the early settlers arriving in the 1840s and 1850s. They carved out lives on the edge of Grapevine Prairie. The area was once Robertson County. It later became a haven for those seeking refuge and community after the Civil War. Many of these families found themselves near Bear Creek.
Minnie Shelton purchased eighty acres in 1879. She donated a portion to create this cemetery. The earliest marked grave belongs to Smith King a young man of twenty-three.
Shelton’s Bear Creek Cemetery holds stories of hardship and resilience. The families faced segregation. They built their own church and schools. They fought for recognition. They faced challenges when the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport expanded.
The cemetery tells the stories of early landowners like Jim Green Alex King and the Patton family. It holds the remains of Rose Dilworth whose headstone bears the inscription “Born in Brandenburg Miss Dec 27 1849”. Nearby rests Elizabeth Lawson a member of the Independent Order of the Knights and Daughters of Tabor of America. Her headstone features the numbers 777 and 333.
The cemetery’s history is intertwined with the development of the surrounding area. The nearby construction of Loop 161 a toll road brought both progress and concerns. Concerns about access to the cemetery were raised. Texas law provides for access to cemeteries. So hopefully access will remain possible.
Today the Shelton’s Bear Creek Cemetery stands as a powerful symbol. A symbol of the enduring spirit of a community. It is a tribute to those who came before and their legacy. Take a moment to reflect on their lives and their contribution to this land. Remember their stories. Remember Shelton’s Bear Creek Cemetery.