The Texas Historical Commission (THC) has recognized Akers Cemetery in Cooke County, Texas, a Historic Texas Cemetery, as a significant part of Texas history by awarding it an Official Texas Historical Marker. The designation honors Akers Cemetery as an important and educational part of local history.
A dedication ceremony to commemorate the event will be held on May 24, 2025, starting at 11 a.m. at the cemetery (633 County Rd 107, north of Texas Highway 82, between Whitesboro and Callisburg). Speakers for the dedication will include Norman Newton, Chair of the Cooke County Historical Commission, Judge Harriett Haag of Amarillo, the cemetery’s administrator and Kent Roberts, the historian of the cemetery and of the lost community of Westview. The Cooke County Historical Commission welcomes the public to share in and witness this exciting historical event.
“The Official Texas Historical Marker program helps bring attention to community treasures and the importance of their preservation,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the THC.
“Awareness and education are among the best ways to guarantee the preservation of our state’s history. This designation is a tool that will increase public awareness of important cultural resources.”
A subject qualifies for a marker if two basic criteria are met: historical significance and age. Historical significance is established by reviewing its role and importance in local history, and the age requirement depends on the topic. The THC’s Official Texas Marker Policies are outlined in the Official Texas Historical Marker Procedures, which may be obtained by contacting the History Programs Division, Texas Historical Commission, at 512/463-5853 or visiting the web site at www.thc.texas.gov.
Akers Cemetery was established on the far eastern border of Cooke County in 1869. In the years immediately following the Civil War, George and Mary Akers settled in the area. In 1869, they established the burial ground when they interred their infant twins. Akers obtained title to the land in 1884. More settlers arrived, establishing the farming community known as Westview. Members of several pioneer families are interred at Akers Cemetery, including the Boaz, Cannon, Hudgens, Lanier, Price, Russom, Sewell, Shook and Smith families. Annually, the community met at the cemetery to lovingly care for the graves of their loved ones. Although most families moved away in the mid-twentieth century as jobs and technology advanced, the cemetery is still active as descendants are buried next to their ancestors.
“It is vital that as we move forward, we do not forget our past. Not only will the Texas Historical Marker provide awareness in the community of our fascinating history, but it will become a building block for the promotion of local tourism,” said Newton, who has served on the Cooke County Historical Commission since 2009.
There are three types of Texas Historical Markers. Subject markers are posted solely for public education awareness and awarded more frequently than the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL), which is a legal designation for historic structures and comes with a measure of protection. Unlike subject markers, the RTHL must also meet a third criterion--architectural integrity. Historic Texas Cemetery (HTC) markers identify cemeteries which have obtained the HTC designation and whose histories have been researched in detail.
Texas has the largest marker program in the United States with approximately 15,000 markers. Seventeen states have used the Texas program as a model; the THC reviews more than 300 marker applications each year.
