A Synopsis of Union Hill Cemetery:
Almost 7 years ago, November 2006, the Jr. Historians of Hopewell MS was visiting the Williamson Museum (WM), enjoying the county Christmas program at the museum. The WM director, Mrs. Mickie Ross asked at that time a very simple, but far reaching question: Would the Hopewell Jr. Historians like to “adopt” a local cemetery, Union Hill Cemetery, close to our school? The answer was of course a resounding yes! We then became known as the Union Hill Cemetery Guardians too!
Under the local direction of the Williamson Museum (Mrs. Ross) and the Williamson County Historical Commission, we continued to do the research that other county folks like David Hollingsworth, Bob and Stephanie Brinkman, etc.. . had started years before, but not finished at UHC.
We then linked up with the Texas Historical Commission’s R.I. P. program under the directorship of Anne Shelton. Ms. Shelton then worked with the club by having us follow state guideline for cemeteries in Texas, giving on-site workshops and working fieldtrips for the Hopewell Jr. Historians at UHC. We continued the necessary research and state paperwork necessary to apply for the Historic Texas Cemetery (HTC) designation, receiving the HTC designation in 2009! This important piece of legal paperwork gave UHC additional protection that Texas cemeteries do not have w/o such a designation. It afforded UHC protection from encroachment due to development going on in the area for example. By receiving the HTC designation, it qualified UHC to receive the HTC cemetery medallion to go in the historical marker when we achieve that, out last step in the improvements at UHC.
It also gave the club impetus, working along with local community partner and UHC grounds keeper, Pastor John Gurley, for future upgrades at Union Hill Cemetery that were needed, for one could hardly tell there was a cemetery at FM 1460 and CR 186. Ironically, the club linked up with Pastor Gurley at about the same time with the same goals in mind!
Since those early days after receiving the HTC designation, the club, working along with many community partners, brought the following upgrades to UHC:
It truly took a community effort in this gargantuan task to bring the dignity and respect to our beloved Union Hill Cemetery over these many years!
Under the local direction of the Williamson Museum (Mrs. Ross) and the Williamson County Historical Commission, we continued to do the research that other county folks like David Hollingsworth, Bob and Stephanie Brinkman, etc.. . had started years before, but not finished at UHC.
We then linked up with the Texas Historical Commission’s R.I. P. program under the directorship of Anne Shelton. Ms. Shelton then worked with the club by having us follow state guideline for cemeteries in Texas, giving on-site workshops and working fieldtrips for the Hopewell Jr. Historians at UHC. We continued the necessary research and state paperwork necessary to apply for the Historic Texas Cemetery (HTC) designation, receiving the HTC designation in 2009! This important piece of legal paperwork gave UHC additional protection that Texas cemeteries do not have w/o such a designation. It afforded UHC protection from encroachment due to development going on in the area for example. By receiving the HTC designation, it qualified UHC to receive the HTC cemetery medallion to go in the historical marker when we achieve that, out last step in the improvements at UHC.
It also gave the club impetus, working along with local community partner and UHC grounds keeper, Pastor John Gurley, for future upgrades at Union Hill Cemetery that were needed, for one could hardly tell there was a cemetery at FM 1460 and CR 186. Ironically, the club linked up with Pastor Gurley at about the same time with the same goals in mind!
Since those early days after receiving the HTC designation, the club, working along with many community partners, brought the following upgrades to UHC:
- Parking area
- South Ranch-rail system
- West Ranch-rail system
- UHC Archway
- Pending- the historical marker it so deserves!
It truly took a community effort in this gargantuan task to bring the dignity and respect to our beloved Union Hill Cemetery over these many years!