Have you ever wondered about the stories buried beneath the ground? Standing in front of the Mesquite Cemetery Plaque, you’re looking at a glimpse into the past of a community that thrived here before the city of Mesquite was even established. The Mesquite Cemetery Plaque commemorates a small cemetery that served a thriving brick factory community in the early 20th century.
The Dallas Pressed Brick Company opened in 1904. The owner, Schuyler Marshall, Sr., generously donated several acres to the African-American workers who lived and toiled there. But when the plant closed in the 1950s, the community dispersed and the cemetery fell into disrepair. It was rediscovered decades later, with approximately 80 graves unmarked and forgotten.
The City of Mesquite acquired ownership in 2001, and thanks to historical research and the help of a local committee, the Mesquite Cemetery Plaque was erected in 2018. The city now diligently maintains the property, honoring the legacy of the workers and their families who called this land home.
Don’t forget to take a moment to read the names etched into the plaque. Imagine the lives they led and the hardships they faced. The Mesquite Cemetery Plaque is a poignant reminder of the people who built this city and the stories that sometimes fade away.