History of the Arbala Cemetery
DETAILS
Historical marker: no marker
Location: County Road 1471
Information: Arbala Cemetery is a historic burial ground that has been serving the local community for over a century. The cemetery is the final resting place for many prominent and ordinary citizens of the Arbala community.
The Arbala Cemetery was established in the late 1800s, according to the Texas Handbook, and the earliest recorded burial dates back to 1890. In the early days, the cemetery was maintained by local volunteers and relied on community donations for upkeep. Over the years, the cemetery has expanded and today it covers approximately two acres of land.
Many of the early burials in the Arbala Cemetery were members of prominent families in the area. The cemetery has several large family plots, including those of the Matthews, McCann, and Darrow families. In fact, a member the Darrow family is one of the most notable burials in the cemetery; William Darrow, a veteran of the Civil War who served in the Union Army, is interred therein, according to Find a Grave. Darrow was one of the first settlers in the Arbala area and played an important role in the community’s early development. The Darrow family continues to live nearby in Miller Grove.
The graves of John C. McCann and George Matthews are two other notable Civil War veterans buried there. The cemetery also has graves of veterans who served in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, according to Find a Grave.
Over the years, the Arbala Cemetery has undergone many changes, including upgrades to the fencing, roadways, and landscaping. In 1998, a group of local volunteers formed the Arbala Cemetery Association to oversee the cemetery’s maintenance and preservation, according to the Texas Handbook. The association is responsible for managing the cemetery’s finances, organizing fundraising events, and overseeing maintenance and repairs.
Today, the Arbala Cemetery continues to play an important role in the community, providing a place for residents to pay their respects to their loved ones and to connect with their local history.
Research from the Texas Handbook Online and Find-a-grave.com
