San Marcos Blanco Cemetery
Site Brief:
Founded: 1893
Location: San Marcos, TX
Additional name(s): SMBC, San Marcos Community Cemetery
Affiliate group(s): None
History:
Extensive research was conducted by the late Ms. Ollie Giles. The San Marcos-Blanco Cemetery was established in 1893 by five African American men. Wyatt Newman, James Landon, Henry Richardson, Lucky McQueen, and Miles Bowen purchased the 10.62 acres for $200 cash.
Officially, the cemetery became the San Marcos-Blanco Association Cemetery in 1901. In 1981, several local residents reorganized a cemetery association and had the name changed to San Marcos Community Cemetery. Some years later it was changed back to San Marcos-Blanco.
Today there are more than 400 graves with headstones and inscriptions. Many others do not have headstones, and Giles says there are probably still more that are unmarked and undiscovered. The cemetery is located on Post Road north of San Marcos. Initiatives will be focused on the maintenance and preservation of the site. It is presently being encroached upon by local expansion efforts. Vandalism and unauthorized entries onto the grounds contribute to our concerns.
BCN Contact Information:
Johnnie Bratton, Jr
coachjbratton@gmail.com