Olivewood Cemetery facts for kids
Olivewood Cemetery is a special place in Houston, Texas. It's located near White Oak Bayou, close to downtown. This historic cemetery covers about 6 acres. It is the resting place for many freed slaves and some of Houston's first Black residents.
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The Story of Olivewood Cemetery
The land for Olivewood Cemetery was bought in 1875. Before that, it was used to bury enslaved people. Richard Brock bought the land. He was Houston's first Black alderman. An alderman is a local leader who helps make decisions for the city.
The cemetery officially opened in 1877. It was created for Black Methodists. When Olivewood was planned, it became the first burial ground for African Americans within Houston's city limits.
Important People Buried Here
Many important African Americans from the 1800s are buried at Olivewood. These include Reverend Elias Dibble and Reverend Wade H. Logan, who were both ministers at Trinity United Methodist Church. James Kyle, a blacksmith, is also buried here, along with Richard Brock himself.
The cemetery has over 700 family plots. These plots are arranged around a graceful, oval-shaped drive. The grave markers show how different people were. Some are fancy Victorian monuments for the wealthy. Others are simple, handmade headstones for those who died in poverty. People continued to be buried at Olivewood Cemetery until the 1960s.
Protecting Olivewood's Legacy
For many years, the cemetery was not cared for. In 2003, a group called "Descendants of Olivewood" was formed. This non-profit organization works to protect the cemetery. Their goal is to care for the site and keep its history safe.
Olivewood has been named an Historic Texas Cemetery. This means it is recognized as an important historical site in Texas. By 2010, parts of the cemetery faced damage from water and vandals.
In 2013, a digital database was created for the cemetery. This database helps people find information about those buried there. It mainly covers the years 1910 to 1940. You can search for names on the website findagrave.com. This database has about 3,800 records.
On July 15, 2021, Olivewood Cemetery received a big grant. The National Trust for Historic Preservation gave them money. This grant will help create a plan to stop flooding and erosion. These problems are caused by new buildings in the area.
Mysterious Stories at Olivewood
Over the years, some people have reported strange things happening at the graveyard after dark. There have been stories of mysterious sightings and movements.
Cathi Bunn is a paranormal investigator. She started exploring Olivewood in 1999. She once said she videotaped the ghost of Mary White. Mary White was buried in 1888. Cathi Bunn said the ghost was floating above Mary White's headstone.
