Here at the Hutto Cemetery Plaque, stories whisper from the past. The Hutto Cemetery Plaque marks a place of rest and remembrance. It tells a tale of community, family, and the passage of time.
T.A. Boatright first buried her family child and her husband E.B. here. This happened in the late 1880s. Back then, the site was known as Elmwood Cemetery. In 1889, Boatright bought land from C.P. and Julia Crews. Even then, several graves already dotted the landscape. Many were unmarked.
Today, the earliest marked grave belongs to Joseph Metcalfe. He died in 1887. The Hutto Cemetery’s history stretches back to these early days.
Over the years, ownership of the cemetery shifted. The Boatrights passed it to the Haygoods. In 1950, Birdie Haygood Badger sold the property. The buyer was the newly formed Hutto Cemetery Association. The name then officially became Hutto Cemetery. This change reflected the cemetery’s close ties to the community.
Records show interesting details about the grounds. Two lots were once reserved for paupers. One lot connected to the Swedish church. This church later became Hutto’s First Methodist Church. These divisions reveal aspects of Hutto’s social history.
Walking through Hutto Cemetery offers glimpses into the past. Grave markers tell stories of settlers. They came from different states and countries. Some residents belonged to fraternal organizations. Others served in the military. Their service dated as early as the Civil War. Even the brief lives of children contributed to the local history.
The Hutto Cemetery Association works hard. They preserve and care for this historic space. The association recognizes those who served in the armed forces. Over 10% of the graves belong to veterans. They fought in the Civil War, World War I, and World War II. They also served in the Korean War and Vietnam. The military branches include Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force.
Each year, a special event honors these veterans. It takes place on the Saturday before Veterans Day. The Hutto High School AFROTC Color Guard participates. The Hutto High School Band provides music. Community organizations also lend their support. During the event, the names of each veteran are read aloud. This is a powerful tribute to their service.
The Hutto Cemetery also benefits from community projects. In 2018, Harrison Blanck completed an Eagle Scout project here. He created a seating area around the flagpole. This provides a place for reflection and remembrance.
So, as you stand here at the Hutto Cemetery Plaque, remember its layers. It is a place of rest, a chronicle of community, and a monument to those who shaped Hutto.