Travel Back In Time at One of the Oldest Cemeteries In Texas

It's no secret that I like to go on road trips. Recently I was able to grab a few days off to relax and recharge. I had a trip planned for well over a month and the time was right to tour some Texas. My final destination was to see some family in the Dallas area, but I was going to take my time and see some parts of the state I'd never visited before.

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If there's one thing Texas has plenty of, it's cemeteries. Almost every town no matter how small has some sort of community burial place. I bet you've seen them too, even from the road. I read somewhere about an old cemetery in the community of Illinois Bend, Texas, that was billed as one of the oldest in the state, dating back to 1873.

LOOK: GO BACK IN TIME AT ONE OF THE OLDEST CEMETERIES IN TEXAS

SEE ALSO: Beware, This Haunted Cemetery in Texas Will Creep You Out

Let me be totally honest. It's not that I go lounging around cemeteries, but I do appreciate Texas history with a bit of creepy flair. This is something I had to check out and I'm glad I did. What I saw when I got there took me by surprise. I don't think I had ever seen graves this old before. There's even an above-ground crypt made of stone. Scroll with me as I take you inside the Illinois Bend Memorial Cemetery.

The Illinois Bend Cemetery is a historic Texas cemetery.

A grave outlined with stone greets you as soon as you walk in.

I think this is the first above-ground crypt I've ever seen. If you look closely, you'll notice  it's caved in. A little creepy.

Some of the earliest graves are that of infants.

Other headstones include pictures of the deceased.

Seeing the graves of children is the saddest part.

Looking at these old pictures can take you back in time.

Some of the earliest stones are eroded.

I realize there are other road trip stops that are more fun and action-packed. I get it. Cemeteries aren't meant to be tourist attractions, but most do have a peaceful vibe. Others are just beautiful areas. You'll find a bunch of history at these old Texas cemeteries. Just remember to practice reverence and respect for those in their final resting place.

Famous people from Texas are buried all over the United States. Look below to see whose name you recognize and where they are buried.