This project was funded in part through a Certified Local Government grant from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, as administered by the Texas Historical Commission. Project sponsors: City of Laredo Historic District/Landmark Board, City of Laredo Parks and Recreation Department, City of Laredo Planning Department, Webb County Archaeological Society, Webb County Heritage Foundation, and Webb County Historical Commission.

Steering committee members: John Keck, Chairman; Margarita Araiza, Elsa Evans, Elizabeth J. Gill, Sam Johnson, Geiron Hite (THC), Dr. Jos6 Roberto JuBrez, Rosario Lopez, Mary Mahoney, J.C. Martfnez, Nina Nixon-M6ndez, Miriam Norton, Michael O'Barr, Ina Pool, Jennie L. Reed, John Romani, Michelle Romani, Amulfo Santos, and John Vidaurri.

• Cemetery Map One
• Cemetery Map Two
• Cemetery Map Three
• Preservation Guidelines
• Preservation Goals and Objectives

Cemeteries on public land are designated as State Archaeological Landmarks under the Antiquities Code of Texas (Title 9, chapter 191 of the Texas Natural Resources Code of 1977). Headstones associated with interments may also be protected, either as part of archaeological deposits or as separate architectural features associated with the site as a whole. According to the Code, no such deposits may be "taken, altered, damaged, salvaged, or excavated without a contract or permit" from the Texas Antiquities Committee. (Texas Historic Commission Texas Preservation Guidelines).

Section 711.035(f) of the Health and Safety Code, states that once property is dedicated for cemetery use, it cannot be used for any other purpose unless the dedication is removed by a district court or the cemetery is enjoined or abated as a nuisance. In the case of abandonment, the feet that the remains of the dead buried in a cemetery have not been removed and that tombstones mark the places of burial is sufficient to show that the cemetery has not been abandoned. It is a Class C misdemeanor to deface, vandalize, or remove gravestones or other features. It is a felony of the third degree to destroy, damage or remove remains of a descendant, and a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly or intentionally disinter or disturb a human corpse.

Any county commissioners court may create a trust fund for the maintenance of neglected public and private cemeteries in the county, and the county may use public funds, county employees, and county equipment for the maintenance of cemeteries for purposes of historic preservation and protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. Any person who wishes to visit a cemetery that has no public ingress/egress shall have the rights for visitation during reasonable hours and for the purpose of a cemetery visit.

"Cemeteries are among the most valuable community resources providing information about historic events, religions, lifestyles, and genealogy. Historic grave sites with intricately carved monuments serve as directories of early residents. Tombstone designers represent a variety of artistic styles that help shape the history of Laredo and Webb County."

Laredo's first camposanto was located at San Agustin Church during the Spanish period. Early burials have been located in front of today's San Agustin Church (circa 1866-1872). A recent archaeological excavation revealed more than 90 burials inside the second church (constructed in 1778) foundation perimeter in 1997-1998. It is believed that one of the burials is Laredo's founder Don Tomás Sánchez. Two burials found in the altar area are possibly the two original priests of San Agustin Church. According to church records, citizens paid to be buried inside the sanctuary.

In 1849, a new cemetery which measured 60 square varas was laid out seventy five paces north of the town. This new cemetery was surrounded by a stone fence and had a water reservoir (possibly located at the present St. Peter's Church yard). Twenty seven years later in 1876, Father M. Souchon, blessed another cemetery, bounded by Scott, Moctezurna, San Francisco, and San Eduardo (the present Boy's Club site), which became known as the Mexican Catholic Cemetery. (Wright)

"The tradition of the sanctified cemetery was brought to Nuevo Santander by the Spanish settlers. The Camposanto (literally "saints field") was in every sense of the word, holy. In Spain, the burial was often within the church structure itself."

Terry G. Jordan
Texas Graveyards

Monuments Commemorate Laredo's Civic Heritage

Christ Church Episcopal

In 1894, the Ladies Guild of Christ Church Episcopal was assigned a plot in City Cemetery. Three years later, on March 10, 1897, Christ Church Episcopal was deeded a plot located near the Main gate of the City Cemetery along Meadow Avenue. This deed was granted to Reverend J. Ward, rector of Christ Church Episcopal, for the Bishop and Standing Committee of the Missionary District of Western, Texas.

Hebrew Rest

One of the most picturesque areas of the City Cemetery is the Jewish section, established shortly after the City Cemetery's founding. Enclosed by an ornate wrought iron fence, the manicured green lawn and large shade trees provide a serene resting place for many of Laredo's prominent citizens.

Ramon Gloria, caretaker of the cemetery from 1979 - 1984, established a section on the south side of the cemetery for Catholics called St. Francis. Other historic sections of the City Cemetery were reserved for the burial of infants and children, Laredo's African-Americans, and the residents of Mirando City. Two sections were dedicated for the interment of human remains from the Mexican Cemetery situated at Moctezuma Street. According to former cemetery director, Rachael Aguitar, additional reinterments occurred along the north fence line.

In 1892, the City Council discussed the need for cemetery expansion. The resolution adopted by City Council noted that "the old City Cemetery (on Moctuzuma St.) is very near filled and the necessity exists to designate new grounds for a burying place". The resolution noted that "the present cemetery is a disgrace to the City... and authorized the Mayor to advertise for bids for the purchase of four City Blocks adjoining each other to be set aside as City Cemetery....and that the cemetery should be enclosed with a substantial board fence and the streets dividing the blocks shall be declared closed.... The whole plot of ground shall then be laid out in squares with properly graveled walks under the direction of the City Engineer" (City Minute Book).

The City Cemetery was established by ordinance on December 6, 1892. Originally, the cemetery was bounded on the north by Saunders, south by Locust, east by Buena Vista, and west by Stone, a site north of the Heights neighborhood at what was then the outskirts of the city. The City ordinance which dedicated the City Cemetery land provided a police officer to "give the constant personal attention to the cemetery under the direction of the City Council" and the establishment of a "cemetery fund from burial proceeds to fund the purchase of the property and the salary of the Sexton and other expenses." Additionally a cemetery committee of three members was established to make further regulations for the management of the cemetery: M. Deutz, F.B. Earnest and C.F. Yaeger. In 1901, the City Cemetery board of trustees were J.M. Slaughter, George C. Woodman, and D.H. Randolph. From 1909-1913, Justo Penn, D.C. de La Chica, and I. Alexander served as cemetery trustees. From 1917-1940, Tomás Arispe served as sexton.

A smallpox epidemic spread out of northern Mexico in 1898, and by October the public officials were in a panic. Despite efforts to contain the disease through vaccination and the closing of public places such as churches and schools, smallpox ran unabated in Laredo. The little children of Laredo suffered the full effects of the disease. Funeral processions, with tiny wooden coffins, remained a daily ritual (Thompson, 1986). Those who lived through the terrible days of 1899 would never forget this citywide tragedy.

Once provision was made for a cemetery, the land was divided in half to accommodate a cemetery for Catholics. Prior to the establishment of City Cemeteiy, the Rev. EA Antoine petitioned the City Council to purchase nine blocks in the Eastern Division for $1 for a Catholic Cemetery on March 21, 1892. On February 2, 1893, the section situated west of Meadow Avenue was dedicated to the use of the Catholic Church by the City Council. The City Council authorized a deed of conveyance of the premises west of Meadow to the Right Rev. Bishop Peter Verdaguer and his successor in office in trust, for the use of the Catholic Church "subject at all times, to the reasonable regulation, management and control of the City Council." The 1893 ordinance authorized the subdivision and sale of parcels of land at Catholic Cemetery into family, individual, and "society" burial lots, and to establish carnage driveways for horses and vehicles and walks for pedestrians. The Council authorized any improvements essential to the use and adornment of the cemetery. Additionally, a potter's field was established for the burial of the indigent poor (City Minute Book). Today the cemetery is operated by the Corpus Christ! Diocese.

In '1898, electric streetcar service was established in Laredo. The initial route of the railway began at Farragut and Santa Isabel, turned sharply north on Santa Rita, headed east on Matamoros, turned south on Salinas back to Farragut, and proceeded east until it reached San Enrique, south to lturbide, and traveled diagonally over a narrow bridge at Zacate Creek. Then it proceeded east on Market to Meadow. Later the route was extended to Mendiola and Meadow to both cemeteries. Funeral processions were made by street car, as a funeral car was used to transport the deceased with the funeral party to both City Cemetery and Catholic Calvary Cemetery. On August 26, 1926, City Council authorized the removal of bodies from the "old cemetery" (at Scott St.). The bodies were reintered at City Cemetery and Catholic Calvary Cemetery (City Minute Book). Later in 1940 the Boys Club was constructed at the old cemetery site.

Monument to Right Rev. Bishop Peter Verdaguer

Private sections were established for perpetual care purposes at the City Cemetery by fraternal organizations and church congregations soon after the City Cemetery's founding. Several plots were conveyed to mutualistas, or mutual societies. Mutualistas were fraternal societies established in the late nineteenth century that promoted Mexican and American patriotic activities, civic pride, and offered burial insurance for their members. Mutual societies were an expression for the Mexican labor movement in the United States. Laredo was on the forefront of the Mexican labor movement which addressed not only wage concerns but also other sociopolitical actions designed to ensure survival, combat poverty, social discrimination and inequality, and gain a measure of acceptance in the political life of the United States. Mutual societies also were a source for Mexican unity and the reaffirmation of identity, and were instrumental in the reform movement as their membership was concerned with the condition of the Mexican worker in the United States. The cemetery plots for the Sociedad de Obreros was conveyed on July 9, 1900 for the sum of $1. On April 22, 1910, another plot was deeded to the Sociedad Hijos de Juárez. (Webb County Deed Records; City Minute Book).

Several chapters of national fraternal organizations organized in the late nineteenth century to provide fellowship and mutual benefit services, including burial insurance. This development also occurred in Laredo as plots were deeded to the Knights of Pythias, Aztec Lodge No. 111, on November 20, 1893; Masonic Lodge No. 547 on February 6, 1896 and October 3, 1901: the Master Workmen of Laredo Lodge No. 120 on February 7, 1897: the Improved Order of Redmen, Yaqui Tribe No. 59 on July 2, 1898; the Caballeros de Honor Masonic Lodge No. 14 on July 9, 1900; the Order of Railway Conductors, Division No. 399 on September 20, 1913; and the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Rio Grande Lodge No. 363 on October 22, 1914. On September 9, 1924, the Benito Juarez Masonic Lodge requested land for burial purposes. (Webb County Deed Records; City Minute Book.)

• Master Workmen of Laredo Lodge
• Sociedad de Obreros
• Free Masons
• Independent Order of Odd Fellows
• Sociedad Mutualista Hijos de Juárez
• Improved Order of Red Men
• Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen
• Knights of Pythias
• Elks
• Woodmen of the World

The Mexican custom of El Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) is observed on November 2 each year. Also known as All Souls Day, the Catholic church day to remember the family's departed ones has been observed since the end of the 13th century. It follows All Saints Day, held on November 1, which commemorates the saints of the Church. All Saints Day was celebrated in medieval times as the eve of All Hallows (Halloween).

On Day of the Dead, family celebrations are held for the dead: cemeteries are cleaned, tombs are painted and adorned with flowers and candles, offerings are made at home altars, and picnics are held at cemeteries. According to former cemetery director, Rachael Aguilar, Laredo's citizens picnicked at City Cemetery through the 1950s, and today this special day continues to be observed as the graves are beautifully decorated.

The burial pattern in City Cemetery is east-west. The cerquitas (or fences) were often erected around individual burials. There was little concern for the introduction of permanent shrubs; however, a tree alley pattern along the cart ways is visible. This lack of formal cemetery shrubbery is offset by the highly elaborate floral decoration, including colorful wreaths, or vases with plastic, paper, or potted flowers.

Grave decoration and funerary art at the City Cemetery are reflective of Mexican-American traditions. A variety of art forms abound: relicaritos, or miniature shrines; glass covered nichos; shell ornamentation; cement crucifixes with hand carved inscription; and urns adorned with pottery shards, tile fragments, and marbles. Usually an effigy to the Virgin, a tiny crucifix, a candle, or some icon is placed within the miniature shrine. Within the open air nicho often is displayed a statue of the Virgin.

Early 20th Century Iron Cerquita & Hand Carved Wooden Latin Cross