January 17, 2025 - While virtually everyone is familiar with the Texas historical markers found throughout the state, fewer know how the markers' sites are chosen and who is responsible for their placement. Speaking to the January meeting of the Timpson Area Genealogical and Heritage Society last Wednesday, Laura Harris, marker chairman for the Shelby County Historical Commission, answered these questions and outlined the steps in gaining approval for a Texas historical marker.
“Eight or nine years ago I was taking care of my mother and had some time on my hands, so I decided I would look into the old Sardis Cemetery,” Harris began. “The cemetery is located near Aiken, out Highway 7, west of Center, about seven miles down in the woods. My ancestors had donated the property for that cemetery and that is why I was interested in it. I thought it needed a historical marker so I began learning what I could about the process. I tried to enlist the help of the Shelby County Historical Commission but was told the cemetery is in San Augustine County. So I went to the San Augustine Historical Commission and they were very helpful, and I blundered my way through the process and my application was approved. The fact that the cemetery is in San Augustine County was not really significant since the process for having a historical marker placed is the same all over Texas."
“There are several types of historical markers in Texas,” Harris continued. “The first is a subject marker. A subject marker marks the place where something was that no longer exists. For example, I wanted a marker for our church, but since the old original log building is gone, I had to do a subject marker. I had to do a subject marker for Excelsior School, too, since the original school building is gone. Generally, a subject marker must date back at least fifty years, however, historic events may date back only thirty years, and individuals must have been dead for ten years. In addition, the place, person, or event must have had local historical significance. Age alone is not sufficient for marker eligibility.”
“The second type of historical marker is a landmark marker. In this case, the structure still exists. I did a marker for the old jail on the square in Center. It is in fair repair and is currently being used by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. A Recorded Texas Historic Landmark designation is a legal designation which provides measure of protection to the structure. I don't think they care as much about the interior of the structure as they do about the structure's exterior. You cannot add anything to a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. That can present problems. Any changes to the structure must have prior approval from the Texas Historical Commission. To qualify, the structure must be at least fifty years old and in a good state of repair,” Harris said.
“The third type of marker is a cemetery marker”, Harris continued. “Historic Texas Cemetery markers are only for burial grounds previously approved as Historical Texas Cemeteries, however, completion of the HTC designation does not ensure approval for an HTC marker. The State of Texas encourages application for HTC designation because they want to know where these cemeteries are located. The application fee is only $25. As soon as your HTC designation is approved, you should start on your marker approval. The marker application fee is $100. The most difficult part of the process is the narrative which must be submitted with the application. It must be six pages long and include footnotes and bibliography. I have found the Texas Historical Commission in Austin to be meticulous but helpful. The current price of the marker is $2300 but it usually goes up every year. The marker remains the property of the State of Texas, however. My advice is not to get in a hurry,” Harris shared.
The Timpson Area Genealogical Society meets at 2PM on the third Wednesday of each month in the meeting room of the Timpson Public Library on the corner of Austin and Bremond Streets in downtown Timpson. The TAGHS library is located within the Timpson Public Library and is open and staffed from 9AM until 5PM weekdays. Telephone 936-254-2966 and ask for the Genealogical Library.
