Enoch B Horton (1777-1851) arrived in Dallas with his family in 1844, settling in the area that would become known as Eagle Ford. Enoch and three of his sons (James, John, and Enoch Jr.) obtained land as Peters Colony settlers. James Horton set aside 11 acres of his property to be used as a cemetery when his sister (Martha Horton) died in 1848. Two adjacent 1-acre cemeteries were established: the Horton Family Cemetery on the western portion of the property and the variously named Horton Negro Cemetery on the eastern portion of the property.
The Horton Family Cemetery was used as a burial place for Horton family members and other setters who lived in the area. The Horton Negro Cemetery (also known as the “Horton Slave”, the “Horton Negro Section” and the “Mount Olive Baptist Church of Eagle Ford colored cemetery”) was used to bury slaves, field hands and negro residents from the nearby town of Eagle Ford. The last known burial occurred in 1956. Best estimates place the number of burials at 100.
Additional burials have been recorded based on information provided by members of the Horton family.
Texas Historical Commission - Texas Historic Site Atlas
Background
Crestview Memorial Park, Inc. dedicated 10 acres of land in the James Horton survey as a perpetual care cemetery on 27 October 1954 (Volume 4140, Page 115 of the Deed Records of Dallas County, Texas). It is not clear if this included the Horton Family Cemetery. It did NOT appear to include the Horton Negro Cemetery.
View Volume 4140, Page 115The formal dedication was rescinded by a court order on 19 November 1968. The property described in the order did NOT include the Horton Family Cemetery or the Horton Negro Cemetery.
(Document images obtained from the Dallas Municipal Archives, Public Works Survey Division Cemetery Files, 1887-2005, Collection 2005-005 – Horton Family – Box 6, Folder 2 by Tony Hanson on 15 January 2025.)
Judgement – Page 1Judgement – Page 2
A City of Dallas Office Memorandum dated February 8, 1973 (Subject: Horton Cemetery, Loop 12 to Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike) stated:
“The only formal dedication of this cemetery was made by the Crestview Memorial Park, Inc., on October 27, 1954. This dedication included the original Horton and Negro cemeteries. By Court Order dated November 19, 1968 all of the cemetery dedicated, except the original Horton and Negro Cemeteries, was condemned and remove from said dedication.”
(Document image obtained from the Dallas Municipal Archives, Public Works Survey Division Cemetery Files, 1887-2005, Collection 2005-005 – Horton Family – Box 6, Folder 2 by Tony Hanson on 15 January 2025.)
View the MemorandumLocation & Access
South of I-30, east of Walton Walker (Loop 12), Dallas, Texas (Arcadia Park). Construction around the cemetery has restricted access. At present, (early 2025) the best way to reach the cemetery is from the North Bagley Street loop located in the La Loma trailer park (which is posted as private property): The cemetery is to the North.
- Address: 1500 S. Walton Walker Blvd. Dallas TX 75211
- Legal Description: Lot 2, Block A/8328 (2,330 Acres, 101,627 Square Feet). In the James Horton Survey, Abstract Number 610.
- GPS: 32.7603989, -96.9127884 (Google)
- Owners:
- TXI Operations, LP 1341 W. Mockingbird Lane Dallas TX 75247.
- Commerce 30 Building D, LLC, 3819 Maple Avenue Dallas TX 75219
Additional Information
The history of this cemetery is closely intertwined with the Horton Family Cemetery. Please see the Horton Family Cemetery page for additional information.
