Restlawn Cemetery (2007)

This property is believed to be the only graveyard in Hidalgo County dedicated for African American burials. Prior to its founding in 1928, blacks were allowed burial space only in private ranch cemeteries. In the 1920s, Edinburg had a growing black community of domestic and agricultural workers and entrepreneurs. A.Y. Baker, county sheriff and director of the Hillcrest Cemetery Association, designated a half-acre in the undeveloped northwest corner of Hillcrest for a "Black Cemetery," which was renamed Restlawn in 1993. The oldest grave, unmarked, is for Leonard Bass (d. 1928). World War II veteran Jacob White (d. 1945), for whom local American Legion Post 884 was named, is also among those interred here. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2004

Restlawn Cemetery is a historical marker in Edinburg, Hidalgo County, dedicated in 2007. It is one of 138 historical markers documented in Hidalgo County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 221 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 26.3075, -98.1440 near Edinburg. The nearest cataloged historic site is Hillcrest Memorial Park (cemetery), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Restlawn Cemetery, Brushwood Cemetery, and Richard Alvis Marsh.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507013989. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.