Stranger's Rest Cemetery
Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas
Marker Inscription
R. D. Holland, Sydney Hackney, and S. D. Long, trustees of an Angelina County African American cemetery group, acquired one acre here from the Lufkin Land & Timber Co., in 1905. Recorded burials began in 1901. The graveyard was first known as Frost Cemetery but according to local tradition began to be called Stranger's Rest Cemetery about 1915 because of the large number of drifters buried here. The last recorded interment, that of Norris Patton, took place in 1946. The site fell into disrepair but was reclaimed by members of the local community and county volunteers in 1991-92. Sesquicentennial of texas Statehood 1845 - 1995
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Trustees of an Angelina County African American cemetery group bought this acre in 1905, though recorded burials reach back to 1901. First called Frost Cemetery, it became known as Stranger's Rest around 1915 for the many drifters laid to rest here, with the last recorded burial in 1946. After falling into neglect, it was reclaimed by community members and county volunteers in 1991–92.
Why it matters
The cemetery honors an African American community's care for its own — including the nameless travelers who died far from home — and the later effort to rescue that heritage from being forgotten.
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Related people
- · R. D. Holland
Themes & tags
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