| |
| Photo
courtesy Ken Rudine, February 2007 |
| The
south corner is at E. Madison and E. 5th street and the NW corner is at E. Madison
and E 2nd street. The NE boundary is the town resaca. |
| Photo
courtesy Ken Rudine, February 2007 |
Historical
Marker Text:BROWNSVILLE
CITY CEMETERY Although
this cemetery was not formally deeded to the city of Brownsville until 1868, dates
on marked Tombstones indicate the site was being used as a Graveyard by the late
1850’s. Buried here are some of the earliest settlers to arrive in this part of
the Rio Grande Valley, including the Rev Hiram Chamberlain (1797-1866), who founded
the Presbyterian Church in Brownsville and whose daughter Henrietta married noted
South Texas rancher Richard King. Others buried here include city and county government
leader Joseph Webb (1850-1933), Sheriff Santiago Brito (1851-1892), first Mayor
and county judge Israel Bigelow (1811-1869), and Mexican War surgeon Charles Macmanus
(1824-1906) The Brownsville City Cemetery reveals much of the city’s history,
victims of wars, gun fights, yellow fever and cholera are buried here and their
graves are evidence of early conditions in the border town. The number of above
ground crypts ornate monuments and ironwork fences reflects the Spanish-French
influence in the area. English-French Spanish and German tombstone inscriptions
are indicative of the city ethnic mixture. Still in use after more than one hundred
years the Brownsville City Cemetery continues to serve as a historical reminder
of the region’s rich heritage.
Transcribed by Ken Rudine |
 |
| Photo
courtesy Ken Rudine, February 2007 |
| Photo
courtesy Ken Rudine, February 2007 |
| Photo
courtesy Ken Rudine, February 2007 |
Green ParrotsElizabeth
St. runs the length of downtown, ending at the Old City Cemetery. For birders,
both ends (Ft. Brown and the Cemetery) abound with flocks of green parrots, early
morning and dusk. |
Green
Parrot
Photo courtesy Ken Rudine, February 2007 |
Flock
of parrots in flight
Photo courtesy Ken Rudine, February 2007 |
Brownsville
Texas Forum
Anyone
wishing to share history or photos of Brownsville, Texas, please contact
us.
Research and Photos by Ken
Rudine
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
Brownsville
Hotels
More Hotels |
Recommended
Books
Boom and Bust: The Historical Cycles of Matamoros and Brownsville |
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