Historic Black cemetery in Tomball gets official marker

A cemetery north of Houston received an official marker recognizing its historic status last month, more than 100 years after it was established, though its gravestones date as far back as the 1800s.

Bogs-Hufsmith Cemetery was declared a “Historic Texas Cemetery” by the Texas Historical Commission and Harris County Historical Commission.

Its long history at 11410 Bogs Road in Tomball started more than 100 years ago when a local business owner sold 4 acres to two African American church trustees.

Frederick Bogs was the owner of 479 acres of land back in 1911, along with several other businesses throughout the area, including a farm.

Bogs sold 4 acres for $120 on Feb. 10, 1925, to two trustees. Walter Page of Salem United Methodist Church and Oliver Thompson of Pilgrim Hill Baptist Church purchased the land to use as a cemetery.

Latrell Shannon, historian of the Bogs-Hufsmith Cemetery Association, said she is proud to see how far this association and cemetery have come. On Oct. 29, the cemetery received a historical marker from the state.

“This has been a long time coming,” Shannon said.

Shannon said she filled out a 32-page application back in 2021 with information about the cemetery, including its history and photos, to even be considered for this marker.

The historical marker states the cemetery was established in 1911, though Shannon said it contains grave markers that date as far back as 1825.

The cemetery association was formed in 1963 after a Tomball minister called a group together to help with the upkeep of the cemetery. The association is responsible for the upkeep which had fallen by the wayside. In addition to now being regularly maintained, a fence is in the process of being added around the property.

The cemetery wasn’t always named Bogs-Hufsmith. Shannon said in 2021, the association decided to change the name of Hufsmith Cemetery to Bogs-Hufsmith Cemetery to honor Frederick Bogs and his help to the Black community.

Shannon said the area surrounding the cemetery has grown over time, but the historical marker ensures the cemetery is visible to residents and visitors.

“It makes you feel good knowing that you’re helping to preserve something for hopefully many years to come,” Shannon said.