Burns Station Cemetery

Reminder of De Witt County's earliest settlement, Irish Creek, begun in 1826 when Arthur Burns (1780-1856) migrated from Missouri and Iowa to Texas. He joined colony of Green DeWitt and built a 2-story log home near here. Used as a refuge during Indian raids, the house was also visited by General Sam Houston, 1836. On Dec. 19, 1837, President Houston appointed Burns to board of land commissioners, Victoria County (which then encompassed this portion of DeWitt County). Area's first grist mill (operated 1856-69 by Moses Rankin) was established by Burns. Near it clustered the Sherman and Thomas General Store, Charlie White's Blacksmith Shop, and Warn Hardware. The Irish Creek settlement became known as Burns Station, as it was a stage stop on the Victoria - Gonzales Road. Cemetery site, donated 1853 by Ardelia Burns Cook, daughter of Arthur Burns, adjoined the Irish Creek Methodist Church. In oldest marked grave lies Joseph Allen (1812-53), born in Ireland. Here also is buried Sarah, Arthur Burns' widow. (Burns is buried in Iowa). In 1870s, Burns Station lost business to Thomaston and Cuero, but was a stop on the Gulf, West Texas and Pacific Railroad until the name was changed in 1902 to "Verhelle," honoring a railroad official. Incise on back: Cemetery restored 1969 by work of relatives and the Southwest Texas Methodist conference

Burns Station Cemetery is a historical marker in Cuero, DeWitt County, dedicated in 1970. It is one of 90 historical markers documented in DeWitt County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 166 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.0487, -97.1975 near Cuero. The nearest cataloged historic site is Taylor, Hephzibeth Looker (historical marker), about 3.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Taylor, Josiah, Taylor Family Cemetery, and Thomaston.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5123000576. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.