Handley Hill Historic African American Cemetery
Site Brief:
Founded: 1878
Location: Arlington, TX
Additional name(s): Old Ebenezer
Affiliate group(s):
Constellation of Living Memorials
History:
The Handley Hill Historic African American Cemetery was founded in 1878, near the original site of the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist church and Prairie Chapel school, to the west of the cemetery. The church moved in 1944, and the last burial was 1966.
The cemetery is located on the highest point in Tarrant County, Texas, and was the site of the Battle for Village Creek on May 24, 1841. The Texas & Pacific railroad followed Jefferson Road from Dallas in 1876, arriving in Fort Worth that July. The Northern Texas traction company followed in 1900 with construction of a power plant and a dam which created what is now called Lake Arlington. The Interurban was the electric road that ushered in the modern era of Texan history when it began daily service on July 2, 1902. The Interurban operated for 33 years and transported 28 million passengers, leaving behind what we call the Dallas-Forth Worth metroplex today. This cemetery contains the African American founders and Pioneers of the “Stop Six” community and neighborhood of Southeast Fort Worth. Amanda Davis was the first landowner in 1896 when she purchased an acre of land for $40. She is buried here as well as the Alonzo Cowan family, the Stalcup Family, the Elgin family, and the Howard families. These are the rock upon which the new Stop Six is rising. The community of southeast Fort Worth is very proud, but has been gentrified in an attempt to erase the entire culture of Black “Wall Street”, and the legacy that led the National Juneteenth Museum here, shepherded by Dr Opal Lee. Last year, the Friends of Handley Hill were successful in preventing the development of the surrounding parcels of land East, west, and North into a parking lot, and towing yard. Late last year, the city of Arlington purchased the land, preserving the integrity of the over 600 souls buried here. The families are also Military veterans of the Civil War, Buffalo Soldiers, World War 1, World War 2, Korea and early Viet Nam. This hallowed ground has faced unrelenting threats of destruction for decades.
Today, the Friends of Handley Hill can report the site is secure thanks to Constellation Energy and the citizens of Arlington, TX. The community discussion has begun on restoration.
