What secrets lie beneath the earth at Bethany Cemetery? We’re standing before a testament to Austin’s African American community. Bethany Cemetery Plaque marks a site with a poignant history.
Established in the late 1800s, Bethany Cemetery provided a final resting place when Oakwood Cemetery’s designated African American section reached capacity. The earliest recorded burial, that of infant Hellen Moore, dates back to 1879. For decades, Bethany served as a vital part of the community.
The Bethany Cemetery Company, formed in 1893, diligently maintained the grounds. Notable figures like William Holland, a former slave who became a state representative and champion of education, were among its founders. He even helped establish the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute for Colored Youth in Austin. Another founder, William M. Tears, made history as one of Austin’s first African American policemen and established the Tears Mortuary, the oldest Black-owned business in Central Texas. The cemetery ceased operation in 1933. However, the stories of those laid to rest here, from infants to pioneers, echo through the ages. Their lives, their struggles, and their triumphs are woven into the very fabric of Austin’s history.
In 1976, community members formed the Bethany Cemetery Association, taking up the mantle of care and striving to preserve this sacred place. They tirelessly worked to maintain the grounds and erected a limestone archway proudly proclaiming “Bethany Cemetery.” As you stand here, imagine the families who gathered for funerals, for annual memorial services, and even for homecoming celebrations This was more than a cemetery; it was a place of remembrance, resilience, and community. The Bethany Cemetery Plaque is a poignant reminder of their legacy.