PRESERVATION & RESTORATION

Famous Residents.

Dallas’ Oakland Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 27,000 individuals including over 630 veterans. In addition to preserving and restoring the artistically crafted stones and physical elements of Oakland Cemetery, we have an opportunity to preserve the stories of the residents, discuss their lives, and examine how this final resting place tells the story of our city and nation.

Many Oakland Cemetery graves are etched with familiar names borne by Dallas parks, streets, neighborhoods and businesses. For every lavish monument marking a prominent family, there are hundreds of simple headstones. Both need physical preservation to stabilize structures and mitigate hazards like toppling headstones. Oakland Cemetery does have critical restoration needs to avoid permanent damage to the integrity of historic resources and the safety of visitors. We must identify fragile and dangerous monuments, walls and mitigate the problem before they cause harm or break. Hardscape restoration needs include monuments, gravestones, mausoleums and walkways.

A.H. BELO, JR 1873-1906

President of A. H. Belo & Co., publisher of The Galveston-Dallas News,
Burial: Section 3, Lots: 86-87-88-89

GEORGE W. DEALEY 1829-1894

English immigrant and father of George Bannerman Dealey, noted businessman and civic leader, long-time publisher of The Dallas Morning News, owner of the A. H. Belo Corporation, who helped establish SMU and bring the Federal Reserve Bank to Dallas.
Burial: Section 3, Lot 35

SANTOS RODRIGUEZ 1960-1973

When he was only 12, Dallas Police Officer Darrell L. Cain fatally shot Santos Rodriguez while conducting Russian roulette on the brothers in an attempt to force a confession from them.
Burial: Section 14, Lot: 4, Row 1, Grave

ANNIE L. LAWTHER 1863-1905

Sister of noted Dallas politician Joseph Earl “Joe” Lawther, Annie, according to long-standing local legend, is the white-gown-clad ghost that has “haunted” the shores of White Rock Lake for 100 years.
Burial: Section 1, Lot 69

OSCAR DUGEY 1888-1966

Major League Baseball Player, born in Palestine, Texas, he was a second baseman and an outfielder who played for the Boston Braves and Philadelphia Phillies.
Burial: Section 34 E 1⁄4, Lot 3, Grave 1

WILLIAM ALEXANDER MINYARD 1872-1935

Father of 12, including A. W., H. C. and M.T. (Buddy) Minyard who were instrumental in the creation and operation of Minyard Food Stores in Dallas and the surrounding area.
Burial: Section 33, Lot 12

THOMAS LINDSAY NORTON 1912-1973

Mr. Norton was part of the 338th Infantry in WWII – a division of the 85th Infantry, which was among the first American troops to invade Europe through Italy.
Burial: Lot 91-1⁄2, Grave

Preserving Nature.

Oakland Cemetery is located on an old Pleistocene Terrace and Post Oak Savannah. The famous research grounds of Texas Pioneer Botanist Julien Reverchon, who collected samples and illustrated the rare flora and fauna in the area. The actual rare plant species “Smooth False Buttonweed” which he collected in this area 118 years ago is in the Herbarium Collection at Harvard University by way of Southern Methodist University. Natural treasures include an extensive collection of wildflowers, plants, rare lichen, wildlife, trees and a strata of rich soils. As part of the ongoing national research, the Dallas County Audubon Society has been conducting annual bird counts at Oakland Cemetery since 1957.