Miles Cemetery
Historical marker location:THE COMMUNITY OF LAWSONVILLE, LOCATED IN PRESENT DAY CONCORD, WAS NAMED AFTER HENRY M. LAWSON WHO INHERITED THE LAND FROM HIS FATHER, IRVIN LAWSON, IN THE 1840s. MANY OF THE EARLY SETTLERS OF THE COMMUNITY WERE FORMER SLAVES OF NEARBY PLANTATIONS WHO CAME TO LAWSONVILLE TO ESTABLISH HOMES AND FIND WORK. THE COMMUNITY WAS RAPIDLY GROWING BY THE 1860s AND MOST OF THE LAWSONVILLE FAMILIES WORKED AS FARMERS, RANCHERS, SHARECROPPERS, OR WOODCUTTERS. IN 1877, THE LAWSONVILLE POST OFFICE WAS ESTABLISHED WITH AMANDA LAWSON, WIFE OF HENRY M. LAWSON, AS THE POSTMASTER. IN THE 1880s, THE COMMUNITY HAD THREE SAWMILLS, THREE COTTON GINS, A GENERAL STORE, THREE CHURCHES, AND A SCHOOL.
THE MILES CEMETERY IS THE ONLY REMAINING VESTIGE OF THE LAWSONVILLE COMMUNITY. ALTHOUGH THE CEMETERY BEGAN AS A FAMILY PLOT, IT INCLUDED THE BURIALS OF THE MILES FAMILY’S SLAVES AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE EARLIEST MARKED GRAVE FOR BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MILES IS DATED 1864. HOWEVER, THE PRESENCE OF A NUMBER OF UNMARKED GRAVES SUGGESTS THE POSSIBILITY OF EARLIER INTERMENTS. MEMBERS OF THE MILES FAMILY ARE BURIED WITHIN A WROUGHT IRON FENCE ENCLOSURE, INCLUDING THAT OF ALBERT B. MILES, A PROFESSOR OF SURGERY AT TULANE UNIVERSITY. OUTSIDE OF THIS ENCLOSURE ARE A NUMBER OF GRAVES MARKED BY ROCKS, CEDAR WOOD, AND PLANTED FLOWERS. AN ASSOCIATION ESTABLISHED IN 2009 HAS OVERSEEN THE AFFAIRS AND UPKEEP OF THIS SITE THAT CHRONICLES THE HERITAGE OF THE COMMUNITY
As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.
Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible
In the early 19th century, American pioneers began to settle in what is now Rusk County. The county was named after Thomas Jefferson Rusk, a prominent Texas statesman and military leader. Rusk County played a significant role in the Texas Revolution, with several local residents participating in the Battle of San Jacinto, which ultimately led to Texas gaining independence from Mexico in 1836.
The discovery of oil in Rusk County in the early 20th century brought a wave of economic development and prosperity to the area. The East Texas Oil Boom transformed Rusk County into one of the largest oil-producing regions in the United States, attracting thousands of workers and businesses to the county. The oil industry continues to be a major economic driver in Rusk County today.
In addition to its oil heritage, Rusk County is also known for its rich cultural heritage. The city of Henderson, the county seat, boasts a historic downtown district with many well-preserved buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The county is also home to numerous historical sites, museums, and events that celebrate its history, including the Rusk County Historical Commission and the Depot Museum in Henderson.
Rusk County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Rusk County, Texas.
- 1843 - Rusk County established as a county in the Republic of Texas
- 1858 - The town of Henderson becomes the county seat
- 1861-1865 - Rusk County residents participate in the American Civil War
- 1901 - The first oil well is drilled in Rusk County, leading to the East Texas Oil Boom
- 1937 - Rusk County experiences a devastating flood, causing significant damage
- 1964 - Martin Luther King Jr. delivers a speech in Henderson during the Civil Rights Movement
- 1989 - The Texas Legislature designates Rusk County as the "Antique Capital of East Texas"
- 2020 - Rusk County celebrates its 177th anniversary