Highland Cemetery

Established by 1894, this burial ground serves the Highland community. In the 1880s, pioneering farmers settled the area after construction of a road which allowed easier access to markets. In 1889, John and Elizbaeth Valentine deeded property for a school building, which would also serve as a place of worship for Methodist and Church of Christ congregations. Community leaders instrumental in establishing a school community and in constructing the first building included J. J. Bateman, D. J. Newborn, Z. B. Daugherty, W. H. Palmer, U. L. Martin, John Hall and Joe Hamlet, along with John Valentine. The school moved in 1921, but the original site continued to be used as a burial ground. The oldest dated burial here, dating to 1894, is of Grover Dillard. Also buried here are veterans of conflicts dating to the Civil War and Highland pioneers, including members of the Bateman, Batts, Hall, Palmer, Martin and Thompson families. Many of the interred were farmers, reflecting the rural nature of the settlement. At first, cotton was the area's primary crop; by the late 1930s, tomatoes became the main crop. Farmers also produced sweet potatoes, watermelons, and other fruits and vegetables. By the late 1950s, hay and cattle became major industries in this area, as throughout Van Zandt County. Highland Cemetery features obelisks, vertical stones, a Woodmen of the World marker and curbing. In 1959, Highland Memorial Association organized to care for the cemetery. Today, this cemetery endures as one of the few remaining vestiges of the Highland community. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2006

Highland Cemetery is a historical marker in Edgewood, Van Zandt County, dedicated in 2009. It is one of 84 historical markers documented in Van Zandt County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 169 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.6295, -95.8837 near Edgewood. The nearest cataloged historic site is Blair Cemetery (cemetery), about 3.5 miles away. Others within a short drive include Rock Hill Cemetery, Myrtle Springs Cemetery, and Haven of Memories Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507015900. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.