Buckner Cemetery (1988)

The land surrounding this historic cemetery was part of a grant obtained by John McGarrah, a member of the Peters Colony who arrived in this area in 1843. McGarrah founded a trading post near this site, and soon the Fort Buckner settlement was established. It would later become the first county seat of Collin County. David William O'Brien (1808-1885) came to Collin County with his family in 1857. He eventually acquired the part of the McGarrah land which included this site. The Buckner Cemetery, which was established on the O'Brien land, has also been referred to as O'Brien Cemetery over the years. Although there may be earlier unmarked graves, the oldest documented burial is that of Franklin O'Brien (1851-1870). Many early pioneers of Collin County are interred here, including victims of a smallpox epidemic in the 1870s. According to local tradition, a Kiowa Indian named Spotted Tail also lies here in an unmarked grave. The only physical remnant of the Buckner community, this cemetery serves as a reminder of the early history of Collin County. (1988) [Historic Texas Cemetery medallion added 2001]

Buckner Cemetery is a historical marker in McKinney, Collin County, dedicated in 1988. It is one of 193 historical markers documented in Collin County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 345 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.2190, -96.6676 near McKinney. The nearest cataloged historic site is Buckner (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Buckner Cemetery, Herndon Cemetery, and First Presbyterian Church of McKinney.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5085000554. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.