The Groesbeck Journal
Thursday, June 21, 2001
Page 6 - Section A
Criswell Cemetery Historical Marker Is Dedicated, June 10
The Criswell Cemetery held its 50th annual memorial service on Sunday, June 10. Following the memorial service the traditional covered dish lunch was served.
This year, the memorial had a special meaning and attraction. At 2 p.m. the Criswell Cemetery dedicated its official Texas Historical Marker. The cemetery also received its designation as an Historic Texas Cemetery by the Texas Historical Commission.
Criswell Cemetery is located just over the boundary line in Falls County from Limestone County.
At the dedication ceremony, Bill Fox served as master of ceremonies, and he gave words of welcome. Travis Smith gave the invocation.
Ora Bower Breed and Thomas Criswell gave brief remarks on the history of forming the Criswell Cemetery Association and how well it has been preserved. Criswell Cemetery is regarded as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Falls County.
Bill Fox and his wife, Barbara, were recognized for their many hours of research in collecting history and data for the historic medallion designation as well as the marker.
The marker was unveiled by Joyce Stone, treasurer of the Criswell Cemetery Association.
Trudie Asbury, chairman of the Falls County Historical Commission, read the inscription on the marker. She is the great-granddaughter of Marcus Durham who deeded the land for the school, church, and cemetery.
The ceremony was well attended with the presence of families and friends who have loved ones buried in the Criswell Cemetery and who continue to work to preserve the cemetery which is still being used.
The inscription on the marker is given below:
CRISWELL CEMETERY
Bearing the name of the community it once served, this site is part of ten acres deeded by Marcus
Thomas Durham in 1886 for a school, church and cemetery. By that time it was already an established burial ground; the two oldest marked graves, both dating to 1873, are those of C. M. Criswell and Durham’s father, Thomas Durham (1811-1873). In 1950 an association was formed that purchased the nearby school and church building and organized an annual homecoming to create a fund for maintaining the structure and the cemetery. The Criswell Cemetery remains a record of the history of this area of Falls County.
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2001
Thursday, June 21, 2001
Page 6 - Section A
Criswell Cemetery Historical Marker Is Dedicated, June 10
The Criswell Cemetery held its 50th annual memorial service on Sunday, June 10. Following the memorial service the traditional covered dish lunch was served.
This year, the memorial had a special meaning and attraction. At 2 p.m. the Criswell Cemetery dedicated its official Texas Historical Marker. The cemetery also received its designation as an Historic Texas Cemetery by the Texas Historical Commission.
Criswell Cemetery is located just over the boundary line in Falls County from Limestone County.
At the dedication ceremony, Bill Fox served as master of ceremonies, and he gave words of welcome. Travis Smith gave the invocation.
Ora Bower Breed and Thomas Criswell gave brief remarks on the history of forming the Criswell Cemetery Association and how well it has been preserved. Criswell Cemetery is regarded as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Falls County.
Bill Fox and his wife, Barbara, were recognized for their many hours of research in collecting history and data for the historic medallion designation as well as the marker.
The marker was unveiled by Joyce Stone, treasurer of the Criswell Cemetery Association.
Trudie Asbury, chairman of the Falls County Historical Commission, read the inscription on the marker. She is the great-granddaughter of Marcus Durham who deeded the land for the school, church, and cemetery.
The ceremony was well attended with the presence of families and friends who have loved ones buried in the Criswell Cemetery and who continue to work to preserve the cemetery which is still being used.
The inscription on the marker is given below:
CRISWELL CEMETERY
Bearing the name of the community it once served, this site is part of ten acres deeded by Marcus
Thomas Durham in 1886 for a school, church and cemetery. By that time it was already an established burial ground; the two oldest marked graves, both dating to 1873, are those of C. M. Criswell and Durham’s father, Thomas Durham (1811-1873). In 1950 an association was formed that purchased the nearby school and church building and organized an annual homecoming to create a fund for maintaining the structure and the cemetery. The Criswell Cemetery remains a record of the history of this area of Falls County.
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2001