History:  The first burial site in the Rosser area designated primarily for interments of black citizens.

Condition:  Deplorable - completely overgrown and showing signs of vandalism and desecration through neglect.  There are only 5 inscribed tombstones still standing - all others have been leveled.  There are signs that the tombstones and markers have been used for target practice with shotguns and there is evidence that some stones have been deliberately smashed to pieces with hammers or some other tools.

     According to L Q Myles, a resident of the area since 1920, this graveyard once had over 300 graves and 100 grave markers.  It covers an area in access of three acres and there are 12 distinct rows of graves, each over 70 yards in length.  The last known burial here was in 1991.

     Because it lies east of the Trinity River Levee at the base of the flood plain the area holds water and most of the graves have sunken in to depths of 3-4 feet in some cases, and walking at the site is very difficult without sinking up to the hips in soft graves.  Most of the existing markers lie in pools of water and it is apparent that some have sunken completely underground, with only their tops visible when leaves and debris is swept away.  Some stones are not completely readable because they are partially underground & the earth is so soft it is not safe to attempt to read them except from a distance or with the aid of photographs at a later time.

Broken stone "our Tomy"  7 Yrs  (hand-inscribed on cement block)
Broken stone- Almeda  ___nes  Died Nov 11_______
Broken stone  Aunty M_____    1951
Broken stone   "Mother Pig"
Broken stone    "Hold my Hand, Jesus"
Broken stone   _______  Johnston     _______  19_0
Infant footstone
Broken stone   Z_____ McP____or McB___   Died 1890
Broken stone   "Born No. Carolina   1839"
Broken stone   "Daddy Dearest"
Broken stone    M____McEntur___
Broken stone   "Sam"
Broken stone    Born 1827  Died 1911
Broken stone  Finger pointing to Heaven
Broken stone   ___Clark  Died 1971

There are over 50 metal temporary funeral markers strewn about the site
and another pile of 17 stacked up on a pile of broken tombstone pieces no larger than 6" each.

There are 9 graves marked with thick slabs of slate

There are 38 graves marked with cement blocks - some appear to have been inscribed at one time, but are unreadable

There are 22 wooden stakes marking graves and 16 metal posts marking graves.

There are 3 wooden crosses - none alike, marking graves

There are 6 graves marked with various colored bricks and another 30 marked with various rocks and large stones.

There is a large fallen tree trunk that is hallow and in a bed of iris that marks several graves, according to L Q Myles - he said there once was an engraved plaque on the tree trunk naming the deceased family who died in the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1917-1918.

There are bushes which appear to have been deliberately planted to mark graves and dozens of broken old vases and flower pots all over the entire area.

It is apparent that it has many, many years since the site was tended or even visited, as there is not a single artificial flower anywhere on the site.  The last time it was tended was in 1979, according to Myles.

Enumerated & photographed Feb 11 & Feb 17, 1999 by Kathey Kelley Hunt, Shawn Corder & L Q Myles