Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery - Industry, TX
Posted by: 
Raven
N 29° 58.567 W 096° 30.333
14R E 740679 N 3318757
Established in 1873 (although already used as a burial site 20 years earlier), this state historical cemetery in Industry, Texas is the final resting place of most of the German pioneers ("pilgrims") who settled this particular area of the state.
Waymark Code: WM139Q8
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/20/2020
Views: 1
This cemetery is located on the northern edge of town, just North of a much larger cemetery ("Industry Methodist" cemetery) and on the very top of a hill with nice panoramic views of the surrounding flat-ish landscape.
Per the Texas historical marker at the unfenced cemetery:
"Soon after Friederich Ernst and Charles Fordtran came to the area at the western side of Stephen F. Austin’s grant in 1831, now Austin County, the town of Industry became the first permanent German settlement in Texas. Following Gotier Trace, many traveled thought Industry on their way to points further west, but many made Industry their home.
On April 26, 1873, Wilhelmine Schroeder, daughter of Fredrich Ernst, sold acreage to the trustees of the Mutual Cemetery Graveyard for a community cemetery. The land was used as a burial ground long before Wilhelmine’s donation; pioneers who died while passing though Industry on their way west were likely buried there in unmarked graves. The oldest marked grave is that of Max Schmidt from 1853.
Many German settlers of the area are buried here, including Friedrich Ernst’s wife and multiple members of their family. The tombstone of Louise Ernst Stoehr, married to Ernst until his death in 1848, describes her as “the first German settler in Texas. 1800-1889.” Wilhelmine Schroeder’s tombstone has similar language. Cemetery records show the burials of veterans, including Jacob Wolters, Austin colonist and Republic of Texas and Confederate soldier.
Adjacent to the Industry Pilgrims Rest Cemetery is the cemetery of the United Methodist Church, located along the south property line. In 1960, a perpetual care fund was established and in 1964 the Industry Pilgrims Rest Cemetery Association was formed. Additional land was acquired in 1985 and 1990 to allow for expansion. Although small in size, Industry played an important role in the settlement of Texas, reflected in the burials of this historic cemetery.
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2016"
City, Town, or Parish / State / Country: Industry, Austin County, Texas, USA
Approximate number of graves: 450
Cemetery Status: Inactive Maintained
Cemetery Website: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Post an original, un-copywrited picture of the Cemetery into this Waymark gallery, along with any observations about the cemetery.