Freedman's Cemetery (Texas)
The Freedman's Cemetery, or Freemen's Cemetery, was established in 1861 as a burial ground for the early African American population in Dallas, Texas.[1][2] It was an active burial site from 1869 until 1907, supported by the historic Black settlement of Freeman's town founded by formerly enslaved people (the town was located roughly 1 mile (1.6 km) from Deep Ellum, Dallas).[3]
| Freedman’s Cemetery | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Established | 1861 |
| Location | Dallas, Texas |
| Coordinates | 32.803207°N 96.793853°W |
| Find a Grave | Freedman’s Cemetery |
The cemetery was lost sometime after the building of the North Central Expressway in the mid-1940s, which cut through the space.[2] Local authorities had removed the grave stones and covered the cemetery with a lawn to form a city park.[2] In the summer of 1990, the Freedman's Cemetery burial ground was rediscovered when the park was renovated; some 800 marked graves were found and an estimated 1,200 unmarked graves.[2]
The Freedman's Cemetery Memorial was created in 1990, to honor those that were buried and provide community healing.[4] The memorial is part of a cemetery tour in Uptown, Dallas, and sits near the Emanu-El Cemetery, the Calvary Cemetery, and the Greenwood Cemetery.[5] It has designation as a Dallas Landmark since 1992, and is part of the State Historic Marker program in Texas since 1993.[5]
References
- Kimble, Megan (2021-09-17). "Forgetful City". The Texas Observer. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
- Cheshire, Ashley (1990-07-30). "Highway project uncovers history". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p.1 and p. 8. Retrieved 2023-07-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- Steckel, Richard H.; Rose, Jerome C. (2002-08-26). The Backbone of History: Health and Nutrition in the Western Hemisphere. Cambridge University Press. pp. 227, 268. ISBN 978-0-521-80167-6.
- "Freedman's Memorial: A Place for Healing". South Dallas Cultural Center. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
- "Freedmans Cemetery". Dallas City Hall. Retrieved 2023-07-20.