Tyra Graveyard-Murray Community Cemetery

Pioneer residents of this area called their community Fish Creek until 1880, when a U.S. Post Office was established and named for the local postmaster, J.J. Murray. This cemetery dates to May 6, 1884, when the infant child of Russell and Rosa Bell Hart Tyra died and was buried on land set aside by grandparents Jesse V. and Martha Jane Higgins Tyra. A few months later, the infant child of neighbors John W. and Leona Walsh died and was buried here with the Tyra baby. J.V. and Martha Tyra officially donated the acre of land surrounding the graves for a public neighborhood graveyard in 1898. In later years, descendants of the pioneer Price and Dozier families donated additional land to increase the size of the graveyard to two acres. Among the interments here are those of many early settlers of this are of Young County. A large number of deaths between 1900 and 1919 are believed to be due to the worldwide influenza epidemic of that time period. Also buried here are veterans of the Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, and Vietnam. Maintained by the Murray Community Cemetery Association, the graveyard remains a visible reminder of the community’s heritage. (1992)

Tyra Graveyard-Murray Community Cemetery is a historical marker in Murray, Young County, dedicated in 1991. It is one of 43 historical markers documented in Young County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 49 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.0263, -98.8707 near Murray. The nearest cataloged historic site is Murray Methodist Church (historical marker), about 2.7 miles away. Others within a short drive include Donnell Mill, Old, Home of Lewis Pinkney Brooks, and Common Grave.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507013745. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.