Masonic Cemetery At 1000 Bagby St.

[musicman]

Does HAIF know about the old, historic cemetery referred to Episcopal-Masonic Cemetery?

The year is 1895 and at the intersection of Bagby and Lamar.

Edit: Also known as Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery.

[Highrise Tower]

Edit:  Credits go to, https://www.epperts.com/lfa/BB68.html

About 1847, the Masonic Cemetery was established by Holland Lodge No. 1 on 3/4 acres (34,583 sq ft) on the banks of Buffalo Bayou in the far southwest part of town off Bagby Street at Lamar Avenue. George H. Bringhurst was a Mason who served as the secretary and the treasurer of Holland Lodge No. 1 for more than thirty years. Bringhurst was the City surveyor for ten years during the 1840's and he owned property on Bagby Street. Quite possibly, through his efforts that the land for the Masonic Cemetery was acquired. Since the Masonic Cemetery and the adjacent Episcopal Cemetery have traditionally been linked, the Episcopal Cemetery may have been established at this time as well. Together, the two cemeteries consisted of about two acres of land in a long and narrow strip extending from a one lot "set back" from Bagby Street to the bayou.

Those buried at Episcopal Cemetery included Stephen Richardson, one of Stephen F. Austin's Old 300 settlers. The 28 year old Richardson was shipwrecked near the mouth of the Brazos on December 22, 1822. He went on to San Felipe de Austin and established a business with Thomas Davis. In January, 1838, Richardson moved to Harrisburg where he operated a steam sawmill until about 1848. He moved to Houston in early 1849 and he died in Houston on  July 6, 1860 at age 66.

[Highrise Tower]

July 18, 1909.

The acquisition of the six acres of the old cemetery adjoining the city park. The city official have determined to give Houston one of the finest pleasure grounds in the state, and they are very thankful to the Masons of Houston and to the Christ Church vestry, who made the acquisition possible.

This is one of the older burring grounds in the city and is situated just north of adjoining the park. For many years there have been no burials in the place, and 90 percent of the bodies that were originally interred there have been removed and sent to Glenwood Cemetery.

Views of the old cemetery which will be added to Sam Houston Park.

A group of graves which remain:

The old vault in the Masonic Cemetery: