AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ahead of Juneteenth, a group of Austinites held a remembrance day and celebration Saturday at Bethany Cemetery, the first Black cemetery in Austin.

The inaugural Juneteenth Remembrance Day Celebration included exhibits, a salute, food, a commemorative calling of names and a prayer.

Sue Spears, the president of the Bethany Cemetery Association, said the celebration paid homage to the ancestors buried at the cemetery who were enslaved, lived through emancipation and were involved in the first Juneteenth.

“It’s important that they not be forgotten,” Spears said.

The goal of the inaugural Juneteenth Remembrance Day was to share the historical significance of the cemetery and the heritage of Black east Austinites. Spears said it’s important to honor them and share their stories.

Cemetery History

The cemetery was created in the late 1800s after burial space for African Americans ran out at the Oakwood Cemetery, according to the Texas Historical Commission.

The cemetery land was bought in 1892 by C.W. Jones for $432.60, according to the Bethany Cemetery Association. The property was bought in 1893 by William Holland, Henderson Rollins, Allen Bradley and William M. Tears, who created the Bethany Cemetery Company.

Today, the nonprofit Bethany Cemetery Association preserves and maintains the cemetery. Spears said the association also protects the cemetery from gentrification and development.

The cemetery is located at 1300 Springdale Road in east Austin.

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