Deep within the heart of Chambers County, Texas, lies the Wallisville Cemetery Plaque. It whispers tales of early settlers and prominent families. This plaque commemorates more than just a burial ground. It represents the enduring legacy of a community.
The Wallisville Cemetery Plaque marks a site steeped in history. It began with a grieving grandfather, Albert Gallatin Van Pradelles. In December 1878, his young grandson, William M. “Willie” Chambers, passed away on his third birthday. Van Pradelles, heartbroken, designated a plot of land for Willie’s final resting place. This act of love became the genesis of Wallisville Cemetery. The land was officially recognized as a cemetery just a month later, in January 1879. County surveyor Daniel B. Wallis meticulously divided the area into sixteen family lots.
Several prominent local families acquired these initial plots. The names Van Pradelles, Chambers, Gordon, Wooten, Sisson, Mayes, and LaFour became intertwined with the cemetery’s history. In a poignant turn of events, Van Pradelles himself was laid to rest in the cemetery just a few years later, in 1884, becoming the fourth known burial. The Wallisville Cemetery Plaque serves as a silent witness to the growth and evolution of this final resting place. It has been expanded numerous times since its humble beginnings. For over a century, the land remained under the stewardship of the Van Pradelles family. In 1986, a descendant entrusted the cemetery’s care to the Wallisville Cemetery Association. Now, beneath the shade of stately trees, amidst weathered tombstones, lie the remains of numerous elected county officials and pioneer settlers. The Wallisville Cemetery Plaque is a testament to their lives, their contributions, and their enduring presence in this community. It stands as a reminder of the passage of time, the cycle of life and death, and the importance of remembering those who came before us.