Hillcrest Cemetery
Forney, Kaufman County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The grave of M. Elizabeth Collins (1813-1867), the earliest marked in this burial ground, predates the settlement of Forney. In 1880 the site was platted and formally set aside as a public cemetery for the growing railroad town. It was later enlarged through additions of adjoining land. Early efforts to provide maintenance for the cemetery included a brief experiment which allowed sheep to graze on the grounds. Burials in Hillcrest Cemetery include those of pioneer area settlers, prominent community leaders, and five known veterans of the Civil War.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The oldest marked grave here, that of M. Elizabeth Collins (1813–1867), predates the founding of Forney itself. When the railroad town took shape, the site was platted in 1880 as a public cemetery and later enlarged with adjoining land—early upkeep even included a short-lived experiment of grazing sheep on the grounds. Those buried at Hillcrest include pioneer settlers, community leaders, and five known Civil War veterans.
Why it matters
Hillcrest ties a North Texas town's origins to the coming of the railroad and preserves the memory of the settlers and veterans who first populated it.
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Related people
- · M. Elizabeth Collins
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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