Boot Hill Cemetery

Burials at Boot Hill stopped around 1877, when the county organized and the community moved to Graveyard Hill, now Hill Top Cemetery. The old ground was neglected for more than fifty years, and markers deteriorated or were lost. Cholera victims of 1869 had been sealed under rock tombs, reportedly from fear that the disease could spread through the soil. The Cenizo Garden Club, organized in 1955, cleaned the site, located graves and walled it in native stone. The list on the plaque is partial; more people lie here than anyone can name.

What the plaque says

Boot Hill Cemetery Began with grave of a suicide. Some occupants are: Dick Gosset, killed in Ft. Ewell gunfight, Feb. 1869. E.M. Crain, Confederate veteran; one of 4 cholera victims, 1869. John Smithwick, murdered, 1870. Jim--, assassinated from door of old Rock Store, 1872. Unknown, killed in gun battle while standing in front of old Rock Store, 1873. Unknown, killed unintentionally by Clabe Young, while playing a prank. S. Glenn Greer (12/7/1848-11/9/1874) thrown from a horse. Unknown, a Negro drowned in the Nueces, 1875. Unknown, murderer of James Minter, presumed to have been a Dalton gang member. Lige Harrison, Jr., killed at age 17 in a hunting accident, 1876. Samuel Wm. McCreery, murdered at his sheep ranch, 1877. Pemanio Palacios and Phelix Wheeler (infant), both died of natural causes. (1964)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Choke Canyon State Park — 12 mi
  A reservoir state park on the Frio River in two units, built after a 1982 dam, with birds, alligators and fishing on land people have crossed for more than 10,000 years.

More markers nearby

• Moses William Hindes — steps away
• McMullen County — steps away
• Tilden — steps away
• Camp Rio Frio, C.S.A. — steps away