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History in
a Pecan Shell
The community which
was once known as Honey Bend now exists only as a cemetery.
The town was settled by the 1880s and the name comes from a prominent
twist in the Brazos River - an Oxbow lake in-the-making.
The community at its peak was hardly more than a school and church,
but they did manage to form a cemetery association in 1932 to maintain
the original graveyard.
James James, sometimes known as "Double Jimmy" was a local celebrity
and 1812 War Veteran who is interred in the Gooseneck Cemetery. |
Tombstone of
"Double Jimmy", 1812 War Veteran who lived to be 114 years old.
Photo
Courtesy Edwin
Verzosa, March 2018 |
 |
Historical
marker (on FM 1287, S of Graham):
Gooseneck Cemetery
Named for a bend
in the Brazos River, this cemetery first served pioneers of the Gooseneck
community. Land for the burial ground was donated by Kentucky native
George Washington Fore (1823-1903) and his son, John Silas Fore (1851-1931),
who became a cattleman and sheriff in Wichita
County. The property was earlier part of the Brazos River Indian
Preserve.
The Fore's also conveyed land for a community school and church. The
school remained in operation until 1947, when it merged with the Graham
District. The church, originally known as Macedonia Missionary Baptist
Church, later became Bunger Baptist Church.
Burials in Gooseneck Cemetery date from shortly after the Civil War.
The earliest marked graves are those of F. M. McLaren and Anna Davidson
who died in 1876. Others interred here include the site's donor, George
Washington Fore, and James James (1764-1878). A native of Virginia
and a veteran of the War of 1812, James was 114 years old at the time
of his death.
Today Gooseneck Cemetery is an important reminder of a pioneer community.
Many descendants of its early settlers continue to maintain the site
as a tribute to the area's rich heritage.
1988 |
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Tombstone of
Anna Davidson,
one of the earliest marked grave
Photo
Courtesy Dustin
Martin, March 2018 |
Gooseneck Cemetery
Historical Marker
Photo
Courtesy Dustin
Martin, May 2017 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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