Texas State Cemetery

Beautiful in a somber way, but there is a certain level of peace when one wanders through here. The Monument Hill offers a good view of the cemetery and a bit of downtown.

Definately a must see, must do place, especially to teach kids a history lesson. Every person, and memorial is done proudly and very fitting.
everything is free :
The Chis Kyle monument is not erected yet, but is still haalowed grounds. The onument to Austin, and Barbara Jordan a removing. Memorials to 9/​11and Texas Medal of Honor recipients are we’ll done.
A free audio tour is available, as well as a nicely done museum.
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Amazing cemetery. We had a nice peaceful walk through it. I got to see and photograph a lot of nice looking graves. We saw tons of well known politicians’ graves. Highly recommend!

It’s been several years since we visited this beautiful awe inspiring, historical memorial. If you love Texas history, this has to be on your bucket list. Remember the movie Charlie Wilson’s War? Yep, he’s here. Tom Landry? He’s not buried here but there is a memorial for him, deservedly so. Great place to pay your respects to a lot of people who made this such a great state, fallen warriors from as far back as the war for Texas’s independence… up until the present. Look for three legged Willie’s grave marker, I got interested in him when we ate at a burger joint named after him by the Georgetown square… it’s not there any more.

The Texas State Cemetery provides a tranquil tree shaded respite from the bustle of the city. Walking through the grounds provides you with an outdoor state history lesson. To be eligible for burial here you must meet a certain criteria (such as state official, member of the legislature, or a person of importance to Texas approved by committee). At the top of monument hill is a beautiful cityscape view of Austin. There are several beautiful monuments on the grounds, one of which is in memory of 9 – 11 and includes two unaltered steel columns from ground zero. I also believe I found two sculptures of Texas artist Damian Priour. The grounds are well kept, and the sound of flowing water from the pond adds to the peacefulness of the site. I found the over 2,000 white stones marking the Confederate fields moving. Beginning in the 1880’s over 2,000 Confederate veterans and their wives were buried here, and most had lived in the Austin state Confederate homes at the time.
There is a visitor center on the grounds open M-​F from 8am-​5pm.

The NICEST dead folks you’ll ever meet! Nicer than a golf course.

I’ll admit, rating a cemetery is a little strange, although I frequent them often with my family for peaceful walks and wonderful photography opportunities.
I like this one because it is so well kept and modern. It has much state history in its residents, but I would like many more information stations about who we’re actually looking at. I like to stop and read about our leaders, military and other famous people who call this their resting place.

Gorgeous cemetery. Beautiful outlay and organization. I loved the 9 – 11 memorial. So beautiful. I really enjoyed walking around in peace while remembering those that have passed.

Amazing history here of some of the greatest Texans. Came here for the Texas Independence Day memorial. After a great little service honoring those who fought and died for Texas Independence. After, they gave a tour of some of the more recognized names.

I was here to see the funeral of Navy Seal Sniper Chris Kyle. Very beautiful ceremony and the presence of the military there gave the event a powerful feeling that is almost overwhelming! The landscaping and overall design of the green is amazing!

A great place to mingle with the dead. First established in 1851, this is by far one of the more beautiful cemeteries I’ve seen. It’s really cool to be among all the dead people who have helped to make Texas famous. That list of people includes Governor’s, Lt Governor’s, Confederates, Revolutionists, Rangers, First Ladies, and, more. A lot of the monuments are quite impressive, such as Stephen F. Austin’s, and, the War Memorials, along with the 911 memorial that is made of metal taken from ground zero. But don’t stop there, venture on and take the time to read. You will learn some interesting history about Texas. This is more like a museum and cemetery combined. The grounds are well manicured, and, there is a beautiful man made stream coursing through it that accents the scenery and trees. I love to come here and bask in all the beauty and serenity that this cemetery has to offer. You can do a self paced tour or join one of their tours. Please remember to be quiet and respect the dead, otherwise, they’ll get you!

Beautifully laid out cemetery with many historical Texans. I like that the headstones tell the history of many of these people who have gone before us.

Small and dignified, this is a who’s who of Texas history. Stephen Austin is buried here, along with Big Foot Wallace and Joanna Troutman, the Betsy Ross of Texas, to name a few. It helps if you can google as you go to learn about the larger than life characters resting here. Not at all morbid, a good place for the kiddos to learn some history.

What a beautiful space. It was great to see the historic and ornately decorated tombstones of some of the state’s most historic figures. The grounds are very well taken care of and the more influential figures are on a slop so as to look over the dozens of smaller tombstones of soldiers who died in the Civil War. I took a lot of photos, but probably my favorite subject was a fountain that was at the entrance of the space for the larger tombs. Compared to the rest of the grounds, this fountain seemed to have not been cleaned in years. There as bright green moss growing on it to where it hung over the top part and seemed to part of the water falling. The moss on the bottom part of the fountain was growing in a rippled pattern. Super cool.

I spent lots of time perusing the history of Texas and Texas greats while making my way through this cemetery. I should read better, because unfortunately I missed out on the visitor center being open. I was still able to make my way through the cemetery with the map brochure provided and got to see lots of history from the to the Battle of San Jacinto to the War of 1812. I wasn’t as interested in seeing present-​day memorials, but absolutely loved the ⁹⁄₁₁ tribute. It was a good time and a walk through the past. A great way to spend the afternoon.

Cool place. I didn’t know that Tom Landry cenotaph was placed there. Pretty cool to see. There is also a nice 9 – 11 memorial. Nice day trip to learn about Austin history.

Wait? Why did I save my 100^th review for a cemetery?
I am a total taphophile, that’s why. I love cemeteries. There is a certain amount of solitude that you find in cemeteries that you don’t find anywhere else.
This cemetery is a fun and fabulous cemetery which is very much a museum dedicated to the history of this great state. I remember coming here as a kid and learning about the various people interred in the grounds.
Speaking of kids, I know it sounds morbid, but taking kids here is a fun way for them to learn history– or if they’re currently taking Texas history in school, take them here and they’ll probably find quite a few of the individuals talked about. I think this helps children allieviate fears of cemeteries early on– so they don’t get flipped out about them later in life (cemeteries are nothing to worry about!).
The headstones feature a wide variety of architecture, reliefs, and epitaphs. So it is like an art museum and history museum all rolled into one bundle… and admission is free.
While this isn’t my favorite cemetery in the state, it is my favorite in Austin– and definitely worth the visit if you’ve even ever thought about giving it a go. Bring your camera (rubbings are a no-​no at this cemetery due to extensive restoration) and snap away at the beautiful gravesites.
If you have no idea who any of the people burried in the cemetery are, you can always take a look at the website beforehand. There’s a self-​guided audio tour you can download from to your iPod to assist you in learning something new (or you can just have it in your ears while you impress your friends/​children).
So get out there and learn something new today.

Still great

I see dead people… Yes, this really is a cemetery but it has a lot more to offer you than a final resting place. Here you will find amazing stories about early Texans along with manicured grounds, gorgeous flowers, a lovely meandering stream and a visitor’s center. Each year, thousands of visitors come through the gates seeking information about Texas history or a confederate soldier ancestor.
If you visit, here are a few examples of whom and what you will find:
–2200 confederate soldiers and their spouses
–Bob Bullock
–Barbara Jordan
–Ann Richards
–Stephen F. Austin
–General Albert Sidney Johnston — buried under an ornate Gothic chapel designed by Elisabet Ney
–James Frank Dobie — famed Texas author and scholar
–Highway 165 — shortest highway in Texas runs through the cemetery
–Monument dedicated to Gold Star Mothers who have lost sons or daughters in combat
−9÷11 Monument
Ask the staff for a tour (free to the public) and learn about the historic Texan who was completely scalped and lived only to die years later when he bumped his head on a doorway. See the huge monument dedicated to hundreds of 14 — 18 year old Tennessee native sons who came to fight and die for Texas independence.
Soon, the visitor’s center will be completely redesigned with interactive displays and flat screen televisions depicting Texas history. Hours are strictly enforced from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Disclaimer: Friends work here. They are among the living.

Sounds really morbid, but it’s actually quite historical. Take a stroll (or a 10mph drive) through the beautifully manicured grounds. Check out Stephen F. Austin’s monument, along with many other prestigious figures. If you’re a Dallas Cowboy’s fan, don’t miss Tom Landry’s head stone… it’s got a big star on it too!
There is a monument that remembers the ⁹⁄₁₁ casualties, with two large metal pillars that were taken from the rubble at ground zero. It’s powerful stuff and a great lesson to teach our children.
On the grounds, you can enjoy a few small bridges that help you over a small babbling brook that runs through the middle of the cemetery. This is definitely a must see if you’re an Austinite and have never been. It’s also great to bring the grandparents to for some cultural history.