Oak Cliff Cemetery
Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Kentucky native William S. Beaty came to Texas during its early days as a Republic and received a grant of 640 acres of land. He and his brother, Josiah, who arrived in 1836, settled along the Trinity River in what is now Dallas County. The settlement that developed around their property first was called Hord's Ridge and became known as Oak Cliff in 1887. In 1846, William Beaty deeded 10 acres of his land for a public burial ground and indicated in the deed that his brother, Josiah, already had been interred on the site. The deed also specified that the cemetery should be subject to no one sect but should forever remain open to all. The oldest marked grave in the cemetery, that of Martha A. Wright, is dated 1844. Many prominent Dallas County pioneers and citizens have been buried here, including Judge William Hord, for whom Hord's Ridge was named. Two former Dallas mayors, George Sergeant and George Sprague, and a son of Gen. Sam Houston, Col. William Rogers Houston, are buried here. Oak Cliff Cemetery remains a valuable and historic link to the early settlement of Dallas.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Kentucky-born William S. Beaty received a 640-acre land grant during the days of the Republic of Texas and settled with his brother Josiah along the Trinity River, in a community first called Hord's Ridge. In 1846 Beaty deeded ten acres as a public burial ground open to all faiths, with the oldest marked grave dating to 1844. Generations of Dallas County pioneers rest here, including a judge, two former Dallas mayors, and a son of Sam Houston.
Why it matters
Oak Cliff Cemetery is a tangible link to the founding of Dallas, its egalitarian 'open to all sects' charter reflecting the frontier ideals of the young Republic and early state.
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Related people
- · William S. Beaty
- · Josiah Beaty
- · William Rogers Houston
Themes & tags
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