Grave Hunter
From Simple to Ornate,
Fences Define Historic Cemeteries
By Gerron Hite
Registered Architect
Cemetery Preservation Coordinator
Texas Historical Commission
June 23, 1999
The next time you see an old or historic cemetery, look for fencing surrounding
the cemetery or family plots. Is the fence made of stone, wood or metal? Is it
plain or elaborately detailed? These features provide clues to the past, making
fences important visual elements in historic cemeteries.
Two key reasons for fencing years ago were to define the cemetery boundaries or family plots and to protect gravestones from animals such as wandering cattle. In areas of Texas where stone was abundant, dry-stack (without mortar) stone walls enclosed cemeteries. Depending on the cemetery's beginnings, an original barbed wire fence might be replaced by a wooden picket fence or by an elaborate cast iron fence.
You can still find cast iron fences in some historic cemeteries. In the 1880s, cast iron fencing was available in a variety of designs, motifs and shapes. Families or cemetery associations created unique designs from mass produced products by picking and choosing different gates, newel posts, picket tops and line posts from a fence catalog.
A common element of the historical cemetery fence is the ceremonial entrance. The roofed entrance called a Lich or Lych Gate was developed in England to provide pallbearers some protection from the weather. In Texas, many entrances to older cemeteries include an overhead metal arch incorporating the cemetery name. In some cases, guests at funeral services used center gates, while occasional visitors used small gates on each side of the cemetery entrance.
By the end of the 19th century, decorative woven wire fences enclosed entire cemeteries as well as family plots. With changing attitudes toward cemetery design and attempts to reduce maintenance costs, fences around family plots were removed.
When you prepare your cemetery preservation plan, keep in mind that existing fences in historic cemeteries may not be original to the cemetery. Without physical evidence such as photographs, maps or minutes from a cemetery association, it is better to preserve what exists rather than guess what the cemetery contained in the past.
For information on preserving cemetery fences, contact Gerron Hite at 512/475-4167 or e-mail gerron.hite@thc.state.tx.us. For more information on the Texas Historical Commission's cemetery preservation program, see the projects section of the web site: www.thc.state.tx.us.