Location
Historic Round Rock Cemetery
The Round Rock Cemetery established in the early 1850s, in what is now known as Old Round Rock, and has contributed much to the history of the community as well as Williamson County and the State of Texas as a whole. Settlers, who moved in while Texas was still a Republic, helped develop this county.
On the roster of those buried here are the names of men and women who have made a lasting contribution to the history of this area. There are over 1,400 burials in the cemetery, with many these unmarked or unknown. Some of the graves are distinguised by persons as far back as 1771.
History
1840's
Privately owned land where Cemetery located used as Round Rock Graveyard
1851
Oldest legible tombstone is Angeline Scott, 11 years old, died July 31, 1851.
1850s
11 Graves noted in the 1850’s, Family Names: Seay, Cluck, Rowe, Newson, Blair, Asher, Mays, Oatts.
1860s
46 burials documented, Family Names: Mays, Asher, Weaver, Oatts, Harrell and Robertson
1870s
67 burials documented, Family Names: Mays, Allen, Simmons, Cox, Aten, Tisdale, Hurt
1878
Outlaw Sam Bass buried in the cemetery. He died two days after a shootout in downtown Round Rock which also killed Deputy A.W. Grimes who is also buried in the Cemetery.
1880s
103 burials documented, Family Names: Briggs, Williams, Carrington.
1888
Three different land purchases for a total of 6 acres obtained for the Cemetery site at the cost of $114.00 and graveyard officially designated for use as grave sites. This included a ½ acre designated as a Slave Graveyard.
The Round Rock Cemetery Association elected directors on Aug 20, 1888. Directors elected: Dr. J.W. Royston, Mr. R.D. Harris, Mr. T.W. Graham and Mr. L.M. Mays.
1890s
84 burials documented, Family Names: Black, Jackson, Cunningham, Holliway, Loving, Mayfield.
1963
The Round Rock Cemetery Association was formally organized and registered with the Texas Secretary of State as a Texas non-profit corporation on January 22, 1963.
Directors elected: Mr. L.O. Ramsey, Mr. W.E. Henna, Mr. Walter Biel, Mrs. Mamie Biel, Mr. Lloyd Landrum, Mrs. O.L. Brady, and Mrs. Vida Webb.
1977
The Optimist Club of Round Rock led work to clean up and document the Slave Section of the cemetery.
Local Boy Scout Troops, the Round Rock Cemetery Association, the Williamson County Historical Commission and the City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department assisted in this effort.
Nov 11, 1977
November 11, 1977 a Flagpole was installed at the Cemetery, donated by the Round Rock American Legion George Johns Post 447.
2011
The Round Rock Cemetery Association reorganized, registered with the Texas Secretary of State as a 501(c)3 Historical Cemetery organization.
Board of Directors created with 7 directors serving staggered three-year terms.
2013
Cemetery property mapped using GPS Cemetery mapping with Row Markers installed.
Service done by the Texas Cemetery Restoration Company.
2018
Cemetery surveyed with Ground Penetrating Radar technology (GPR) and all tombstones documented with pictures and a listing of names, birth and death dates.
Service provided by the Texas Cemetery Restoration Company
2019
A 625 square foot Pavilion erected at the cemetery with a rainwater tank installed to capture runoff water. Benches provided by the City of Round Rock Parks & Recreation Department.
2024
The Cemetery Association contracted with the Texas Cemetery Restoration Company to repair, restore and clean 87 broken headstones.
In May, volunteers participated in a training about cleaning headstones and then cleaned headstones at the cemetery.