Fort Worth’s Pioneers Rest Cemetery: Preserving City’s Roots as a National Historic Place

The historically rich Pioneers Rest Cemetery in Fort Worth, recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, serves as a lasting tribute to the city’s earliest settlers. As the only cemetery within the Dallas-Fort Worth area with this designation, it stands out as one of only 11 in Texas receiving such honor since its listing in 2021. Besides two Texas Historical Commission plaques, its recent grants have allowed for the restoration of its main entrance, a safeguard of its historic fabric.

At the heart of Fort Worth, at 620 Samuels Ave., lies the cemetery, an open ground for all residents irrespective of belief. It spans seven acres, encompassing 1,500 burial sites, and through the Texas Historical Commission’s aid, has undergone significant rejuvenation, including an enhanced main entrance. This preservation is crucial, for the cemetery bottles the essence of the city’s origin, housing the graves of two children of Major Ripley Arnold and 11 soldiers from the fort.

24/7 access is granted to the public, thanks to the all-volunteer, non-profit association managing the cemetery, which emphasizes its commitment to both preserve and share this historical gem. Innovating in its educational outreach, the cemetery garnered attention with a QR code program reviewed positively in local media. These QR codes act as keys unlocking stories of the deceased and the land’s heritage.

Marked with its inception in 1850, a year shy of Fort Worth’s establishment, Pioneers Rest is a mosaic of the city’s genesis. “It is the oldest historic burial ground in Fort Worth and the only remaining resource from the original fort commanded by Major Ripley Arnold,” according to the

City of Fort Worth

. It cradles the remains of Fort Worth’s earliest pioneers, including General Tarrant, the county’s namesake, and displays a range of funerary art from various epochs in American history.

Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!