AUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s first all-black cemetery is still awaiting recognition first sought from the City nearly 50 years ago. Austin City Council may end that wait in a discussion at City Hall on Thursday.
Bethany Cemetery in east Austin was founded in the late 19th century, and is the eternal resting place for freedmen, war veterans and others who had an impact on Austin’s black community.
The cemetery was founded after Oakwood Cemetery, the city’s first municipal cemetery, ran out of burial space for African Americans.
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Bethany has been around since the 1890s, and the Bethany Cemetery Association puts its own resources into keeping stories from the cemetery alive.
The cemetery was first brought up for historical recognition by volunteers decades ago. Earning landmark status could change the resources flowing into the cemetery.
Dr. Sue Spears-Martin, president of the Bethany Cemetery Association, feels that there are those in the community again who care enough to fight for this recognition.
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“Every stone that is in Bethany and every story that we uncover, they matter,” Spears-Martin said. “And, you know, their stories need to be preserved.”
Spears-Martin says historical status does not guarantee more resources, but she hopes it would encourage more people in the community to donate to their efforts.
The discussion on Bethany Cemetery’s historical status will take place Thursday afternoon at City Hall.