HistoricSiteMarkers
Reconstruction & Gilded Age

Salado Cemetery

Salado, Bell County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Established 1856 on 2.5-acre site given by E.S.C. Robertson. Distinguished Texans interred here include the Rev. G.W. Baines, great-grandfather of President Lyndon B. Johnson; the Rev. and Mrs. J.E. Ferguson, parents of Governor James E. Ferguson; A.J. Rose, Grand Master of A.F.&A.M. of Texas and trustee of Texas A.&M. College; J.L. Smith and S.J. Jones, both presidents of Salado College (1859-1885). Other graves here are for veterans of U.S.-Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. (1969)

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Established in 1856 on land given by E.S.C. Robertson, this Bell County cemetery holds a remarkable roll of Texas history. Among its graves are the Rev. G.W. Baines, great-grandfather of President Lyndon B. Johnson; the parents of Governor James E. Ferguson; a Grand Master of Texas Masons; and two presidents of Salado College. Veterans of every American conflict from the U.S.-Mexican War through World War II rest here as well.

Why it matters

A country cemetery that gathers a future president's forebears, a governor's family, and soldiers of five wars is a microcosm of Texas and the nation.

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Related people

  • ยท G.W. Baines
  • ยท E.S.C. Robertson
  • ยท A.J. Rose

Themes & tags

Military & WartimePresidential SitesLandmark

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